Fine Lifestyles Parkland Manitoba Fall 2014

FineLifestyles Lifestyles PARKLAND MANITOBA

OCT/NOV 2014 | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4

BIKING FOR A CAUSE: THE RIDING MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE BUSINESS ETIQUETTE FROM CHARLES THE BUTLER SEASONAL STYLE TRENDS

RISING STAR

JESS

MOSKALUKE TAKES HOME FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AT THE CCMA AWARDS

Come experience the urban atmosphere in a rural setting

Tyler Kilkenny & Todd Sawyer

Get lost in the warm and welcoming environment at TinHouse Designs • Showcases and sells internationally-known artwork created by Tyler Kilkenny • Offers speciality coffee and espresso drinks, Italian sodas, ice cream and fresh, homemade baked goods • Daily specials include homemade sandwiches, subs, soups and salads • Featuring Canadian made art and gifts from coast to coast

Tuesday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

161 Main Street, Russell | 204-773-2291 | tinhousedesigns.ca

BAUER • CCM • REEBOK • EASTON WA R R I O R • SH E R-WOOD • VA U G H N

Your Source for Everything Hockey 6–1st Avenue South West, Dauphin | 204-638-7057 parkland@sourceforsports.ca | parkland.sourceforsports.com

first word With Fine Lifestyles editor AnnA DelAney

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ith great delight I welcome you to the fourth issue of Fine Lifestyles Parkland Manitoba. We are in the thick of fall and the change in seasons has me appreciating crisp air, pumpkin spice anything and the beauty of changing leaves.

Fresh off the tails of her big win at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, Jess Moskaluke is gracing our fall cover and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The young star, and Langenburg native, took home Female Artist of the Year in September; in our cover story she talks about the honour and how she got to where she is today.

Inside the following pages we also take you to this year’s Riding Mountain Challenge — a cycling fundraiser for the MS Society. In our business department we have a special treat: an interview with Charles the Butler, noted TV personality and author.

In addition to these stories we also feature some of the wonderful businesses and people that make Parkland Manitoba such a special place. Some of these businesses will be familiar to you and some of them are gems just waiting for your discovery. We hope you enjoy getting to know them and we hope you enjoy this issue.

FineLifestyles PARKLAND MANITOBA

www.finelifestyles.ca Volume 3, Issue 4 Editor Anna Delaney annad@finelifestyles.ca Art Direction Amber Moon (Senior), Lisa Redden (Associate) Design Natasha Burkholder, Candace Haiko Staff Writers Trina Annand, Henny Buffinga, Melanie Furlong, Tobie Hainstock, Rebecca Henderson, Tonya Lambert, Tori Stafford, Courtney Tait Cover Photography Nathan Elson Photography Nathan Elson, Dori Fee Photography, Andrea Gorda, Kelly Michaluk, Lorri-Ann Munro, Todd Pedersen, Salvatore Sacco, Julie Shiner, Uniquity Photography Contributing Writers Greg Nesbitt, Sarah Vermette Associate Publisher Susan Gellert, susang@finelifestyles.ca 306.641.5616 Subscriptions kellym@finelifestyles.ca

finemags ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Ross Petz 204.821.5862 rossp@finelifestyles.ca

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Susan Gellert 306.641.5616 susang@finelifestyles.ca

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Fine Lifestyles Parkland Manitoba is published six times a year by Fine Lifestyles Ltd. All contents of Fine Lifestyles publications are copyrighted 2014 with all rights reserved, except for original articles submitted to Fine Lifestyles, where copyright resides with the author. No other part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Fine Lifestyles. The views and opinions expressed in the expert advice columns herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Fine Lifestyles or the companies it represents.

Although we endeavour to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.

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A Fun-Filled Weekend,

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ALL FOR A CAUSE

By Henny Buffinga Photos Courtesy of the MS Society

“The people of our community are just amazing. The more you ask, the more they give,” says Lori Bogoslowski, fundraising coordinator of the Parkland Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families, and raises funds to find the cause and cure for the disease.

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CONTENTS STYLE ..................................................... 6

26

HEALTH & WELLNESS ...................... 10 ARTS, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT ...17 SPORTS, RECREATION & TRAVEL....26

29

HOUSE & HOME .................................28 BUSINESS ............................................29 WHEELS ...............................................34

Cover Story: Parkland Star Power: Jess Moskaluke ..................................... 17 Biking for a Cause: The Riding Mountain Challenge ............................ 26 Business Etiquette from Charles the Butler ................................ 29

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Fa l l i n l o v e w i t h

SeaSonal

Style

By Tori Stafford Photos courtesy of Pantone

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6

hile fall may bring the sad goodbye to summer, it also ushers in a season ideal for some of the latest and greatest fashion trends — and this season’s runway shows are the perfect place to find some autumn inspiration.

ages for its warmth and stunning texture, astrakhan pelts were used in jackets, coats, hats and handbags from designers like Tom Ford, Céline and J. Mendel this season, they too will stand the test of time when cared for properly.

The cooler temperatures the season brings mean reaching for a cashmere sweater, or a fur cowl on a chilly night, is not only acceptable, but encouraged.

And with the season’s trends boasting an array of furs, animal prints, snakeskin, leather, astrakhan and shearling (as well as over-sized turtlenecks and Nordic-inspired sweaters and head-to-toe knits), warming up has never been hotter.

Colour-wise, the experts at Pantone drew inspiration from the most luxe aspects of nature, completing the Fall 2014 colour guide with rich jewel tones that “transcend time and place,” including Radiant Orchid (a bright, clean amethyst tone), Aurora Red (a glamorous, slightly orange red hue), Royal Blue, Sangria, and the oh-so-popular Cypress (a natureinspired emerald tone seen on almost every catwalk this season).

When it comes to outerwear for the Fall 2014 season, the coat to dote on is inspired by the terrycloth you wrap around yourself after a hot soak. Robe coats, often in thick lambswool and rich, gem tones, were seen on runways from New York to Paris and Milan to London. Classic, simple and perfect for shielding from the elements, robe coats are sure to be staples to wear through a lifetime, meaning this trend is worth the investment. Similarly, astrakhan, a fur made from Karakul lambskin and wool, is an opulent option that is easily dressed up and down. Prized through the

This palette lends itself perfectly to another trend walking the runway: mod, 60s-inspired looks — complete with knee-high boots and mini skirts Twiggy herself would have died for. The hues, pulled from nature and intensified, are complementary to the geometric patterns and nature-inspired prints (think: tree branches, ocean shorelines and landscape portraits à la Dolce and Gabbana and Valentino for Fall 2014), as well as the menswear inspired separates seen from Hermès and Armani.

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L–R Rebecca Minkoff, Yoana Baraschi, Ella Moss by Pamella Protzel

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A Treasure Trove of Gifts to be Found at Hodge Podge

By Melanie Furlong Photos Dori Fee Photography

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hen you step into Hodge Podge, you never know what you might find.

The 14,000-sq.-ft. store in Dauphin carries a wide range of new products, including jewelry, purses, furniture and the ever-popular ALEX toys, as well as business and estate liquidation items.

“We’re constantly trying new things and re-inventing ourselves,” says store

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manager Tom Wieb. “We only have two or three product lines that we carry throughout the entire year. That’s how we’ve built our name at Hodge Podge, by always having something new and something different.”

might be a unique piece of furniture their grandparents had or something they had growing up. But it feels quite rewarding to have that something special they’ve been looking for and unable to find until they came to Hodge Podge.”

And when a customer stumbles across an item they’ve been searching everywhere for, the excitement is palpable. “They get so excited when they find those unique and rare items here,” says Wieb. “It

Finding those treasures keeps customers coming back weekly and even daily.

Tourists who visit Hodge Podge from major metropolises on the east or west

RIGHTTom, Paula & Kent Wieb

coasts frequently tell Wieb his shop is one of the best they’ve ever seen. “For them to give us that compliment is really nice,” he says, “considering what they’re comparing us to. We pride ourselves on being able to have a great product selection for the people in our community who would have to travel up to five hours to reach a big city and find a similar selection.”

In fact, this is the biggest season of the year for Hodge Podge as everyone wants to give original gifts at Christmas.

“People don’t want to give the same kind of big-box store gifts that everyone else is giving,” says Wieb. “They come here looking for something that will stand out as unique.”

If you’re gift shopping, there’s no better place to look for that one-of-a-kind present. The team at Hodge Podge consists of Tom, Kent and Paula Wieb; they are very knowledgeable about their ever-changing product selection and eager to help. “Gift shopping for our friends and loved ones is something we all struggle with,” says Wieb, “but we always ask our customers questions about the recipient and occasion to help them narrow down their choices and offer suggestions.”

Hodge Podge opened its doors in 2006 and was founded on the principles of old-fashioned customer service and the desire to provide unique products and services. Come in to Hodge Podge today and see what everyone’s talking about!

Hodge Podge Store & Services 831 Jackson Street Dauphin, MB 204.638.4455 tom@hpodge.com www.hpodge.com

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The

Vast

Worldof

Alternative Health Part 3 of 3

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BY SARAH VERMETTE

n the western world, people are used to standing in line at a pharmacy to have prescriptions filled. Too often, people misuse prescribed medicines by not completing the full prescription cycle. This causes the body to develop resistance to that drug, rendering it useless in the future. Several sources, such as the Mayo Clinic and the American College of Physicians, have reported that as this occurs on a wide-spread scale, there are fewer drugs for doctors to turn to for treatment, which could cause worldwide

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epidemics. More so, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse issued a troubling report discussing the prevalence of prescription drugs being used for recreational use. This obviously belittles the legitimacy of what they are to be used for: to save lives.

Many conditions, but certainly not all, can be successfully treated with gentler types of treatment. There are various branches of alternative medicine that use naturally occurring or manmade substances for treatment.

Homeopathy Homeopathy is a system of medicine that treats the individual with highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing. In its current form, homeopathy has been widely used worldwide for more than 200 years.

Homeopathy is based on the principle that you can treat like with like; that is, a substance which causes symptoms when taken in large doses can be used in small amounts to treat those same symptoms. This concept is sometimes used in conventional medicine: for example, the stimulant Ritalin is used to treat patients with ADHD, or small doses of allergens such as pollen are sometimes used to de-sensitize allergic patients. However, one

Aromatherapy

major difference with homeopathic medicines is that substances are used in ultra high dilutions, which makes

Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils

them non-toxic.

extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or

Homeopathic medicines (which homeopaths call

other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and

remedies) are prepared by specialist pharmacies.

physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from these essential oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing.

Though little is known about the history of aromatherapy, the actual term “aromatherapy� first originated in 1937 when French chemist, ReneMaurice Gattefosse, invented the word after a burn incident spurred his curiosity about the healing power of essential oils.

Aromatherapy is used for a variety of applications, including pain relief, mood enhancement and increased cognitive function. There are a wide number of essential oils available, each with its own healing properties.

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Naturopathy Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary healthcare system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body and unfavourable lifestyle habits.

Treating both acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient: their physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environment and lifestyle factors. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation and traditional Chinese medicine/ acupuncture may also be used during treatments.

Alternative therapies are a good option for people who want healthcare that is less invasive, gentler on the body and oriented to individual needs. Many people find that a more holistic approach is required to find lasting results when conventional medicine has been unsuccessful. Others find a combination of conventional medicine and alternative methods is the most successful approach to managing overall well-being. At the same time, depending on the person, different symptoms are best treated with different modalities. Because every person is unique, what works for one person may not work for another. If venturing into this area for the first time, it may take some trial and error before finding the method that is best suited to you.

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As a Manual Osteopath and Registered Massage Therapist, aromatherapy and essential oils are an important part of Heather Bednarski’s business.

Essential oils can play a vital role in increasing the quality of our lives. By using a more natural approach, they can boost the immune system, clean our homes and help us get better sleep. They can be diffused into the air or used topically and many essential oils can be ingested. Using essential oils can change a person’s mood, help an upset stomach, relieve muscle and injury pain and much more. With the many types of chemicals found in the food we ingest and products we use in our daily lives, people are beginning to see the value in using natural products.

“I use essential oils daily for pain relief or just for perfume,” says Heather. “There are so many uses for them that every day is different.”

Call Heather at Diamond H Essentials today to learn more about the amazing uses for essential oils and how you can benefit from a natural healing approach to pain relief.

405 Westwood Rd Swan River, MB | DIAMOND H ESSENTIALS | 204.734.0998

Put Your Best Face Forward

By Melanie Furlong Photos Andrea Gorda

B

ren Murray is passionate about skin care. “I love helping people and in this industry you can change people’s lives,” she says. “You can change how they feel about themselves. When they have clear, healthy skin it increases their selfconfidence and that’s why I absolutely love what I do.”

Bren has been working as an aesthetician in the skin care industry for more than 30 years and has her own salon, Bren’s Skin Care, in Russell, MB. She specializes in treating acne, aging skin and doing Vascu Lyse Treatments that remove skin tags, broken capillaries, etc., as well as many other treatments.

Her clients range in age from 13 to 80 and many travel hours to see her. “They trust me,” says Bren. “When I start with a client, we work together to determine how the person will achieve the goal of better skin and a better self-image. My success rate is very high in all facets of my services, but especially with acne.”

Through using a variety of treatment options, including light therapy or microdermabrasion as well as treatment based solely on the use of products, clients see results.

The high quality products Bren uses are from Biologique Recherche (BR), a French company. “All the products here are ABOVE Bren Murray

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medical grade and of the highest standards,” says Bren. “They are only sold in exclusive salons throughout North America.”

Bren’s Skin Care also has skin rejuvenation equipment that can lift and tone the facial muscles and slow down the aging process.

“What we do with our treatments is smooth, sculpt, contour and lift. It’s like exercising for your skin; it tones and tightens the muscles.”

A series of treatments must be done to see optimum results because people don’t stop aging. “But it’s not like having injections done and when you stop doing them the impact and results are lost almost immediately,” Bren says.

“Even if people stop skin rejuvenation, it takes years for their face to revert to the way it would have been.”

Another treatment Bren is passionate about is permanent hair removal through electrolysis. “I love electrolysis. It’s the service that started my business 32 years ago,” she says. “You can take somebody who has excess hair and help them start to feel better about themselves.”

For the benefit of her clients, Bren has always sought the highest level of education on products and techniques. Over the years, Bren has received training in France, New York, Toronto and Chicago on the use of the Biologique Recherche line, along with various aspects of aesthetics in order to stay up-todate. Training, knowledge and high quality products are the keys to Bren’s success.

Whatever your skin care concern, turn to Bren’s Skin Care for advice. Her client, Angie, says, “Bren’s Skin Care is a wonderful place. I have been to many other skin care facilities, but she is by far the best. Her skill, knowledge and compassion are second to none. We are lucky to have her in our community and I am lucky to have found her.”

Bren’s Skin Care 361 Main St. Russell, MB 204.773.3008 info@BrensSkinCare.com http://brensskincare.com

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COVER STORY

Parkland Star Power:

Jess Moskaluke

By Melanie Furlong Photos Nathan Elson and Courtesy of HC Consulting

Parkland’s own Jess Moskaluke took home the Female Artist of the Year Award at the 2014 Canadian Country Music Awards in Edmonton on Sept. 7.

T

he fresh-faced Moskaluke, 24, says she was surprised to hear her name called. “It was very shocking,” Moskaluke says. “I always thought if something like that happened I would cry, but I was in too much shock. It didn’t seem like it had actually happened.”

Moskaluke’s second single Cheap Wine and Cigarettes achieved Gold Record status in August 2014 and she became the only Canadian female solo country artist to surpass 40,000 downloads for a song since Shania Twain. But she says winning

at the CCMAs was the most memorable moment of her career so far.

Moskaluke, of German and Ukrainian heritage, is a bona fide country girl who was born and raised on a farm in Langenburg and now resides in Rocanville. Funnily, becoming a countrysinging star isn’t something Moskaluke consciously set out to do. “I started singing when I was 15 years old,” says Moskaluke.

“Before that, it just wasn’t something that I did. I enjoyed singing the way people enjoy volleyball or basketball. It was just an extra-

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COVER STORY

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ABOVE CCMA green carpet

curricular activity for me.” Around that same time, Moskaluke began entering singing contests. “It wasn’t like I entered and just won all the time,” she says. “But I started winning eventually. I also started doing YouTube videos.”

Moskaluke has posted a variety of cover songs on YouTube, ranging from Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe to Pink’s Try. The singer has certainly not been branded solely by the country genre.

“The style of music that I want to do is very loose,” says Moskaluke. “Saying I’m in the country genre, but have rock and pop influences, lets me write whatever I want, try different production styles and sing about anything I want. I don’t feel pigeonholed because I can explore all the avenues I want.”

Four years ago, Moskaluke began writing her own songs. She says her inspiration comes from many sources, including the way she’s feeling that day, something that happened to her, a movie or a book, or a story a friend told her. Moskaluke wrote four out of the 10 songs on her latest album, but she did not write Cheap Wine and Cigarettes. “I had asthma when I was a kid,” she says, “and I’ve only ever smoked once. It’s funny; I had to smoke once because the lyrics of that song are ‘Cheap Wine and Cigarettes, that kind of

taste that you don’t forget.’ I hated it and I certainly will never forget it!”

Moskaluke’s great industry success story wasn’t written by Hollywood. She says the success came gradually and took a lot of hard work. “It’s not cut and dry in this industry,” she says. “People don’t come up to you and offer you a career. The movies show something entirely different and it’s not what people think. I started singing and things kind of kept happening.”

Her country-rock-pop sound has garnered plenty of attention in Canada and beyond with her collective YouTube views to date just shy of 20,000,000. In fact, posting YouTube videos was instrumental in building her singing career.

Moskaluke’s best advice to other young singers is to practice and work hard. “If they’re starting on YouTube, that’s a really great idea,” she says. “That’s what I did and it’s like anything — the more you do it, the better you get at it. You have to be willing to work 365 days a year. You have to have the work ethic—that’s what it takes.”

If you want to catch Moskaluke live in concert, check out her website at jessmoskaluke.com for dates on her upcoming Canada-wide tour with Chad Brownlee and Bobby Wills.

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A Cozy Cup of Coffee in your Community

by Tori STafford photos UniqUiTy PhoTograPhy

W

hether you’re out running errands on a chilly day, meeting up with friends you’ve been missing, or simply looking to relax and unwind after a long day on the road, having a place where you can stop and enjoy a great cup of coffee can turn an ordinary day into something very special.

their trips. With all of the rejuvenation and investment that is making downtown Russell the bustling hub of the community, the couple decided there was no better way to participate in the growth of the place they call home than to bring one of their favourite things to town — a specialty coffee house.

For Claudia and Mark Keating, searching out small coffee houses along their travels has always been a highlight of

“We really enjoy the atmosphere of a nice coffee house when we’re on the road, and when we purchased the old

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bank building in 2011, there was nothing like that in the area,” Claudia says. So, together, the Keatings decided to open Bin 22 Coffee Co. — a quaint, little coffee house that shares the main level of the historic bank building with a boutique clothing store at the corner of Main and Assiniboine Streets. Using a number of vintage accents from the Keating family farm — custom furniture and handcrafted counter tops — Bin 22 Coffee Co. has a rustic atmosphere with an urban flair,

and travellers to make downtown Russell a regular stopping point along their route.

“One of our goals in opening a specialty coffee house is to draw in traffic off the highway and into the downtown area, which helps our wider community as a whole,” says Mark, a third-generation grain farmer who grew up in the Russell area. “Also, we wanted to test our skills in a new business, and create a few jobs… and we thought a specialty coffee house would fit the bill!” creating a warm environment to sit and sip a caramel latté or a cappuccino with friends and family, or to simply enjoy a good book. Warm wall colours envelop customers, and encourage passersby to sit and stay a while, which is all in keeping with the Keatings’ hope to make their coffee shop not only a place where locals come to socialize and grab a coffee, but also a place that will encourage tourists

Bin 22 Coffee Co. serves up a variety of quality hot and cold espresso-based beverages, including cappuccinos, lattés and frappes, and offers locally-baked treats to nibble while enjoying a tasty drink. In essence, it’s a place for everyone.

“I think anyone who loves a great cup of coffee in a warm, friendly environment should stop in,” says Mark.

Check out the brand new specialty coffee house in the heart of Russell, at 202 Main Street North. To contact Bin 22 Coffee Co., call 204.773.4328, e-mail bin22coffee@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ bin22coffeeco.

Bin 22 Coffee Co. 202 Main Street North Russell 204.773.4328 bin22coffee@gmail.com | ABOVE Claudia and Mark Keating

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THUNDERS RESTAURANT & SALOON 19 Memorial Blvd., Dauphin 204-638-6080

events PA R K L A N D

OCT–NOV

OCTOBER 9-13, 2014 Beef & Barley Festival Russell

OCTOBER 19, 2014 Fred Eaglesmith Dauphin

OCTOBER 19, 2014 Market Fest Dauphin

OCTOBER 24, 2014 Rotary Wine Tasting Dauphin OCTOBER 25, 2014 Friends Fright Night Clear Lake

NOVEMBER 1, 2014 Annual Firefighters Ball Dauphin

NOVEMBER 13, 2014 Wine – Tell The Difference Russell

NOVEMBER 16, 2014 Public Family Skating Russell

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D I N E AT T H E

TRAIL’S END

By Henny Buffinga Photos Julie Shiner

With the trail leading right up to the door, Tiff’s Restaurant and Lounge is the perfect spot for snowmobilers, locals and cottagers to dine on fresh homemade food and enjoy their vast selection of liquor and blended drinks.

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“Awesome homecooked food in a relaxed atmosphere!

Can’t beat Tiff’s.”

—Cheri Totte, Russell, Man.

“Every time I come out this way I have to stop at Tiff’s! The food and atmosphere is amazing!”

—Rachael Luhowy, Winnipeg, Man.

T

aralee Chuchmuch is the proud owner of Tiff’s Restaurant and Lounge. Originally from Oakburn, Man., she moved to her home in Angusville with her husband in 2006, started a family and opened a coffee shop in the attached building. In 2012, they decided to go big and added another 1,000 sq. ft. to the building, including a full kitchen, a large dining area and a cocktail lounge. Their decision became reality within six months with the help of the excellent tradesmen from Legacy Builders, Lynn’s Electric and Birdtail Plumbing.

Visitors to the area might be surprised when they walk in the door to find such a stylish and spacious establishment in a small town with a population of 115 residents. “A lot of people have heard of my place because it’s a small town, and they need to see what we’ve done here in Angusville,” says Chuchmuch. “It’s the great atmosphere, home-cooked food and unique recipes that bring people back. A lot of people wouldn’t believe it’s in a town this size.”

With a fireplace in the wall, large comfortable chairs and banquet seating, Tiff’s has a great atmosphere for family dining and evening entertainment. With partitions separating the restaurant and cocktail lounge areas, Chuchmuch says she offers the best of both worlds.

Their menu is diverse, including homemade perogies, bacon scallops, Thai chicken bites,

ABOVE Taralee Chuchmuch

fresh-made pizzas and more. All items are freshly made on site, with few exceptions.

“I’ve created most of the recipes with my own tongue, so to speak,” Chuchmuch says. “You’re not going to find my food anywhere else.” Chuchmuch prides her establishment on providing high quality and consistent food for her customers, which really sets Tiff’s apart. They use “the real stuff” in all their recipes; you won’t find the pre-packaged food that comes with chain restaurants at Tiff’s.

Her restaurant also stays open late, so it’s a staple for regulars who get off the golf course late, or just don’t want to go home early. It’s one of the few places around that offers a full menu past 10 p.m.

Chuchmuch offers catering services to the area as well, which keeps her busy

in the summer. She offers a standard wedding-style menu for events, as well as one that caters to the needs of cottagers in the Silver Beach Lake area looking for a break from barbecuing.

Tiff’s is also busy in the winter season with snowmobilers. “Skidooing here is a big thing and everyone heads north from Angusville to Silver Beach. The trail comes right to my door, so it’s become quite a meeting place for skidooers,” she says.

Tiff’s Restaurant and Lounge is a work of passion, and Chuchmuch puts her heart into it. A mother of three, Chuchmuch is busy at work and at home, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tiff’s Restaurant 76 Main Street, Angusville 204.773.3344 |

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A Fun-Filled Weekend,

ALL FOR A CAUSE

By Henny Buffinga Photos Courtesy of the MS Society

“The people of our community are just amazing. The more you ask, the more they give,� says Lori Bogoslowski, fundraising coordinator of the Parkland Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families, and raises funds to find the cause and cure for the disease.

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R

obin Searle started the MS Bike - Riding Mountain challenge 18 years ago. Searle, who has worked for the MS Society for more than 25 years, decided to start the event knowing that the local chapter covered the costs for the largest area of Manitoba. The community responded, and the event has a very loyal following with many cyclists participating every year since the beginning. This year’s event was extremely successful, raising $140,000 for the cause. The Parkland chapter is still accepting donations. All money raised will stay in the Parkland region to help those in the area. Searle and her staff have been continually amazed by the generosity and enthusiasm of the wonderful people in the community and beyond.

The challenge takes place over two days every September and includes many fun rest stops along the route, providing food, drink, entertainment and even massages. The tour starts in Dauphin and takes a path through the beautiful Riding Mountain National Park, ending in Clear Lake.

The rest stops offer a fun and festive break for the cyclists and they try to feature the best local companies along the way. Their Foxtail Café rest stop featured flavoured breads, and they also had food and drink from the Whitehouse Bakery, Farmery Beer and others. Mano’s Pizza also served up lunch for the cyclists and volunteers. “We wanted to bring some of Dauphin and Clear Lake into the rest stops.

Each rest stop is homey and welcoming, and it’s more of an experience,” says Bogoslowski. “Not only are they experiencing the beautiful tour, they’re also experiencing a taste of Manitoba through local products.

Another rest stop brought in a little culture to reflect the background of many people in the area for a bit of fun.

“This year we brought Ukrainian culture to the event,” says Bogoslowski. “At this rest stop they had Baba bread and borscht, and there were ladies in Ukrainian clothing with Ukrainian music as well. It was overwhelming for the cyclists, they were just having a blast.”

This year they are planning a new event called Winter MS Bike, which will take place on Feb. 7, 2015. Winter biking, also known as Fat Biking, has become extremely popular in recent years. A fatbike has a different type of tire, which, like snow tires on a car, displaces the snow differently than a regular tire. Cyclists with regular bicycles are able to compete with the special tire.

The event will feature two routes: one along the lake and one in the town itself. It will take place over four hours and feature great food and live entertainment. There will also be a lot of winter activities going on over the weekend in Clear Lake through the Friends of Riding Mountain National Park, with whom they are partnering. For more information on this event, email Lori at lori.bogoslowski@ mssociety.ca.

If you’d like information about next year’s event, visit their website. Registration starts on Nov. 17. To donate to the MS Society, visit www.mssociety.ca.

MS Bike - Riding Mountain Challenge www.ridingmountainchallenge.ca

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5

COUNTER

Intuitive Styles to

By Courtney Tait

Tune Into

A

myriad of countertop options are available to make a décor statement. Find inspiration with the low-down on these five styles, and you’ll be on your way to an intuitive choice.

CONCRETE The size, shape, texture and edge style can vary greatly with concrete, enabling you to customize the look to suit your kitchen or bathroom style. Colour and chips of glass and stone can be added to the concrete when it’s poured. Heat and scratch resistant, concrete will also withstand spills if sealed properly.

SOAPSTONE Natural, sleek and heat-resistant, soapstone is popular for being low-maintenance and easy to clean. Soapstone darkens over time, and is known — and loved — for developing character as it ages. Variation can be seen in the veining of soapstone slabs, with some pieces featuring dense quartz veins, and others showing little veining at all.

BUTCHER BLOCK Warm and sturdy, butcher block gives your kitchen a

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welcoming, natural look. It can be made from almost any wood, and if you avoid cutting on it directly, is easily maintained by re-oiling it every few months. Any nicks or burns can be sanded out.

GRANITE As the go-to choice for countertops over the last decade, it’s easy to complement your flooring and cabinets. Granite is heat and scratch resistant, but also porous, which makes proper sealing and maintenance essential to prevent stains. If you like the look of luxury, this is the choice for you.

QUARTZ Considered one of the most durable option, quartz is also lowmaintenance. Available in a range of slabs with beautiful, natural-looking patterns, this non-porous countertop doesn’t require sealing, and comes with a range of finishes from polished to sandblasted.

NetworkiNg the right way tips from

Charles the Butler

W

hen you’re attending a business networking session, your goal is to meet new people and make a good impression.

Charles MacPherson, better known as Charles the Butler from his regular appearances on The Marilyn Denis Show, and best-selling author of The Butler Speaks, says, “Everyone is attracted to selfconfidence, whether you’re at a networking event or at a wedding. The secret is putting others at ease. Having social skills relaxes you and will help you meet lots of people. It puts you in a position of power.”

One of the first steps is to make a good impression with eye contact; a good handshake, which consists of three pumps and release on the fourth, is also important.

By Melanie Furlong

Then, turn off your cell phone, unless, of course, you are a surgeon on call or your wife is about to give birth. “A cell phone is a tool,” says MacPherson. “In a networking environment, it is not a tool that will help you: it will hinder you. You are there to pay attention to the people you are meeting.”

The biggest mistake you could make networking, he says, is to disrespect someone else in the room. “You may not agree with what that person is saying,” says MacPherson, “but even if they’re a goofus, as I like to say, at least give them some respect. If you treat everyone graciously, you’ll never be criticized for that. You’re a better person for it. People will want to do business with you because of the way you treat others.”

Top 5 tips for NetworkiNg

1 2 3 4 5

Be respectful to everyone in the room Make eye contact with the person you’re talking to Turn off your cell phone A good handshake — three pumps and release on the fourth Follow up the next day

ABOVE Ford of Canada has recently hired MacPherson to bring its customer service representatives to the next level in service.

FineLifestyles

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Fixing Your Ineffective Website

Richard Bankert Owner Richard Bankert Web Design Box 970, Dauphin, MB 204.648.4952 www.richardbankertwebdesign.com

T

here was a time when having a website was pretty cool. It didn’t matter what it looked like or how hard it was to find, if you had a website you were ahead of the curve. However, over time, your soaring web presence has slowly become very poor at representing your business online.

Do you have a brand new website? Read on, new websites are not exempt from this. Make sure to regularly review its effectiveness. If you want to improve your business, you have to be honest with yourself.

WHAT HAPPENED? As the web has grown and matured, so has the

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technology that displays it. There are certain things that have become expected when it comes to online customer service. Just like a waiter at a restaurant, your website brings your business to your customers. It meets the customer at the doors, responds to their requests, takes their orders and brings the things they want directly to their table with a smile.

If your website is difficult to find, look at, navigate or load, those same customers will be frustrated. This means they will avoid your website, which is not your goal at all. You want your customers to love your website and enjoy navigating it, so you can meet their needs, put a smile on their face, and money in your pocket.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? So, what are some real action steps to start making your website more effective?

1. Start by writing down your website goal. If you had to put down what the purpose of your website is in one sentence, what would it be? Then do the same for 5 of the major pages of your website.

2. Now that you have some goal, how is your website meeting that goal?

Are there things that could be added,

removed, ironed out, re-worded or made more clear?

3. If you have one, remove your hit counter and add a real website analytics, such as Google Analytics (google.ca/analytics) or Clicky (clicky. com). This will give you honest feedback about who is using your website, where they are, what they are doing and if you are actually meeting your goals.

4. Review your website with your friends and customers. Sit them down and ask them where they get stuck, what they find frustrating or what is missing that should be more obvious.

5. Now you will have the knowledge to start making educated changes based on what you have found. You can also view the effect of those changes in your analytics and make tweaks that will help your website grow into the future.

HOW DO I GET STARTED? Get in touch with your website professional.

Not only can they help you implement these items, they can also bring some new ideas that may work better for your particular website. Your business is awesome, build yourself an effective website that represents that.

The MultiTasking Myth

into two categories: “switch-tasking” and “background-tasking.”

Mick Lautt President Taiga Consulting 506 Main Street N. Dauphin 204.470.4872 taigaconsulting.ca mick.lautt@taigaconsulting.ca

B

usy managers, entrepreneurs and parents pride themselves on their capacity to multitask.

In fact, this ability to share our attention over a range of activities is often credited for our success and productivity during the day.

Well sit down and focus on this…you were never actually multi-tasking at all.

Numerous studies have shown the brain can only focus well on two things at a time, one for each hemisphere. Once a third item competes for brain space, tasks take longer to complete, we loose focus and make more mistakes.

So what is actually going on? To clarify, we can break the concept of multi-tasking

Switch-tasking is what happens in our brains when we are doing several things at once that need our attention. When we are talking on the phone and driving, or participating in a conference call while reading a newsfeed, our brain switches its focus back and forth between tasks.

This most common form of multi-tasking is believed to be an efficient way to work.

But it is not. Each time we switch our attention from one thing to another, it takes the brain more time and effort to complete each task. In fact, one study estimates people loose 28 per cent of their working day to switch-tasking.

Other studies have shown this lack of singular focus can lead to higher stress, lower IQ, loss of short-term memory and lower quality of work.

Background-tasking is when we do two or more things at once, but only one of the activities truly needs our attention.

So when running laundry while cooking dinner, or making photo copies while checking e-mails, we really only need to focus our attention on one item while the other continues in the background. This is a better form of multi-tasking because we are really only focused on one main activity at a time.

Are you reAdy To STick wiTh iT? Here are five tips to breaking your switchtasking habits: • Identify your top priorities. Take control of your schedule with a plan to tackle what is most important. Group less important items into batches to deal with at a later time.

• Shut out distractions. Turn off your phone and e-mail while you are working on a project. Mark your schedule as busy and block off time to get each task completed. Do not allow interruptions.

• Once you start, work until you have completed the task. Break larger projects into smaller groupings that can be handled in a single sitting.

• Don’t fill every moment. In between tasks, take a break. Recharge and get set to focus on the next item on your list.

Multi-tasking has become a culturally acceptable way to spend our days. But for those of us who want to be most efficient, effective and healthy, we need to break our “busy” addiction and take single steps, one at a time, towards our success.

Mick trains leaders and builds teams.

Please contact Taiga Consulting for information about business performance coaching, team building adventures and retreats, and leadership consulting and training services.

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Selby Home Centre PARTNERS WITH RONA FAMILY BUSINESS CONTINUES TO ADAPT AFTER 36 YEARS OF SMALL TOWN SERVICE

By Greg Nesbitt Photos Julie Shiner

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K

en Selby vividly remembers when he and his wife, Helen, expanded his flooring and decorating business to Russell from Birtle in 1980 and set up shop in the old Royal Bank building on the corner of Assiniboine and Main (now home to Bin 22 and Hometown Glory). And it’s not always in a good way.

“We had to manually carry all of the carpet and vinyl rolls up the front stairs, through the vestibule, and onto a pile on the side of the building,” chuckles Selby. “I especially remember the commercial carpet for the United Church, which came in two huge rolls that weighed 1,200 lbs. each. They had to be lifted off the truck, carried up the stairs and stored. Two weeks later, we carried them out, then up the long stairs at the church and into the building.”

Things have changed a lot at Selby Home Centre over the last 36 years. The store moved to the old Beaver Building in 1989 and was adapted to suit the needs of the business. With that move came the introduction of Beachcomber Hot Tubs and Benjamin Moore Paints, along with window coverings and many other additions.

Selby Home Centre has most recently become an affiliate with RONA Canada. As an independent RONA location, they can offer RONA product and pricing, with full access to their catalogue.

Customers can also use the Internet (rona.ca) to order and have products shipped right to Russell.

“In the past, we have had requests for goods that are poorly marketed in rural areas, but found it difficult to find and offer competitive pricing,” Selby says. “RONA allows us to meet the majority of these needs.”

Family aFFair While the business has always been a family operation, Ken and Helen’s two daughters and their spouses are now full-time partners in the business, and are taking over when Ken retires. Virginia and her husband Kris (originally from St.

Lazare) and Laura and her husband Jeramy (originally from Birtle) are all developing their own specialties. Laura now manages the store — and her father, she jokes. Jeramy is a certified Armstrong installer and is familiar with the problems associated with the many types of flooring. Kris comes from a family long associated with home decorating products and has concentrated on hot tub maintenance and repair, as well as sales. Virginia is a bona fide decorator and loves to colour match the various products.

“Dad did a lot of research on the products before bringing them in and we take a lot of pride in the quality of the product and installation,” Laura says. “We have always tried to put the needs of the customer ahead of our own by finding the best value products for their circumstance. This is what we believe is good business.

He also is often amused at how surprised big city customers are at the extent of our product access and knowledge. Big city stores can’t touch our service or experience.”

Selby Home Centre RONA Russell 347 Main Street, Russell 204.773.3394 www.rona.ca |

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THE LAMBORGHINI

The World’s Most Expensive Vehicle

VENENO

By Trina Annand

E

ver since the invention of motorized vehicles, the focus has been on making them faster and better. Exploring the limits of technological advancement has been a special focus for the teams at Lamborghini.

Since its launch in Bologna, Italy in 1963, Lamborghini has established a name for itself as the ultimate in luxury and speed.

The newest line features the 2014 Veneno.

It’s a startling achievement that already has a loyal fan base and a waiting list that would make any car lover cry.

The 2014 Veneno is a 12-cylinder masterpiece. With a 750-horsepower

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engine, it would give the bat mobile a run for its money. This beauty can go from zero to 60 in a mere 2.8 seconds, with a maximum speed of 355.7 km per hour.

It does come at a cost, though, ringing in with a price tag of $4.5 million. A drop in the bucket for true car connoisseurs, the wait list is courtesy of a limited yearly release of nine cars. This allows engineers and mechanics to focus on every inch of this dream machine, ensuring the highest possible quality. When the car was created in 2013, there were a mere three cars released for sale. All were sold before they were even produced.

Interior finishes for the Veneno feature race seating, created with the finest leathers and carbon-fibre panels that mimic the sleek exterior look of the vehicle. With carbon-fibre components, the Veneno has achieved a superior rank among lightweight vehicles. Creating a car that is as beautiful under the hood as it is on the outside is the company’s guiding principle.

The Veneno was a jewel in Lamborghini’s crown for their 50th anniversary. Their tagline for the special event, “A century of innovation in half the time,” is a statement that rings true when you look at the company’s success.

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