locale Lifest yle L o o k bo o k
DateNight LOCAL HIDDEN GEMS
a wedding venue that screams
YOU!
A Luxury Beach Getaway with The Baeumler Family
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Broker
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BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME! Two separate unserviced lots available just east of Stratford and west of Kitchener in the town of Shakespeare. Each lot measures 66’ x 132’. MLS $200,000 per lot.
$899,900 EVERYONE IN THE POOL! Desirable Forest Hill crescent location for this 4 bedroom sidesplit, perfect to raise a growing family. This home has something for everyone including a gorgeous kidney shaped inground pool. Check it out before it’s gone! MLS®
$599,900 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS! Calling all first-time buyers, investors and downsizers! Situated on a mature tree-lined street in the Fairview Park area, sits this 3-bedroom, all brick bungalow backing onto Wilson Park. Close to many amenities, transit and more! MLS®
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275 Lancaster St. W., 2nd Floor Kitchener, Ontario N2H 4V2
140 McGovern Dr., Suite 8 Cambridge, Ontario N3H 4R7
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locale Lifestyle Lookbook
@locale_lookbook
Features Page 4
Date Night Local Hidden Gems Trouble finding a suitable hot-spot to take out that special someone? Here are some unique ideas and local venues to choose from.
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A wedding venue that screams YOU! The initial steps of wedding planning can be difficult. Andréa Parisien, of the Walper Hotel, provides great tips on finding your perfect venue.
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Springtime Spaghetti Carbonara This easy and budget friendly recipe will have the family asking for more.
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A Luxury Beach Getaway Even with the challenges of a pandemic, Bryan and Sarah Baeulmer renovated a dilapidated island resort in the Bahamas. We interviewed Sarah Baeumler about their journey and this incredible destination.
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Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours Interested in making your big event a little easier on the planet? Here are some fun ideas to impress your guests while reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding.
This page: Ocean Skyview of the Caerula Mar Club in the Bahamas. Cover: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler. Photos courtesy of the Caerula Mar Club.
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GALLERY DOUBLE T E sta blished 1988
A contemporary Art Gallery where visitors can experience an amazing collection of Original Canadian Art. Featuring landscapes, florals, abstracts, figurative, sculpture and blown glass. We also offer Interior Design
Fused Glass Retro Mesh, Renato Foti
Services, in-home Art Consultation & Installation, as well as Custom Conservation Picture Framing.
Theresa Cisecki Owner / Curator
Torso with Baroque Pearls & Crystals, Estella Fransbergen
7 6 R e g i n a S t re e t N . , Wa t e r l o o
519 746 1291
w w w. g a l l e r y d o u b l e t . c a
gallerydoublet@gmail.com 3
locale e a t s
Let’s Go Out Tonight! Get inspired with these Date Night Ideas in the Area
Date night is a necessity for all couples. It provides the opportunity to reengage that romantic spark, enhance your friendship, and create emotional connectedness. With life so busy, date nights can be the last item to pencil in on a regular basis. Whether you’re looking for something to do that’s economical and inside your home or experience the activities and culinary delights of the Waterloo-Wellington Region, we’ll be providing you with ideas every issue that will surely delight and ignite your soul.
410 The Boardwalk, Waterloo
If a date night at home is more your style, The Culinary Studio offers online cooking classes. For the month of May through July, learn how to prepare succulent dishes for Cinco De Mayo, Mother’s day and a night of Spanish Cooking. The ingredients are delivered to your door and, if you choose, can include a feature wine pairing. Chefs Jody & Kirstie have spent most of their careers specializing in teaching others how to cook. They have refined their techniques and approaches over time to ensure they deliver informative and entertaining events in which people are amazed by the professional results in their own home kitchen. No cook is left behind!
If you’re a fan of comfort food like Chicken N Waffles or testing unique handcrafted cocktails, then look no further than the Grand Trunk Saloon located in the heart of Downtown Kitchener. Their outdoor patio is the perfect setting to enjoy the coming of Spring. Visit their instagram to see what they are serving and shaking up daily. /kwgrandtrunck 30 Ontario Street, Kitchener
Visit their website www.theculinarystudio.ca to learn more.
Milestones serves familiar food with a twist in an atmosphere. Whether you’re celebrating a Milestone, taking advantage of Happy Hour after work or enjoying brunch with friends, we’ll make sure you have a simply memorable experience. They craft craveable favourites, each with a perfectly delicious twist. with a great atmosphere, and a the perfect backdrop for good people and good times. So, if you’re the kind of person who thinks brunch should be as easy as Sunday morning and who’d rather dig into their salad than post pictures of it online. The kind who knows themselves enough to know what they like and what they don’t. If you’re that kind of person, we warmly say to you, your table’s waiting. 20 Queen Street South, Kitchener
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Located right below its parent, The Walper Hotel, this sleek bistro boats modern de´cor, infused with the lively and sometimes scandalous history of The Social. TWH Social focuses on providing creative, carefully-handcrafted dishes with locally- and consciously-sourced ingredients, such as local cheeses and Oceanwise seafood they even produce their own honey on-site from their rooftop beehive. For couples concerned about the impact of what they order, it’s a perfect place for supporting local businesses, while reducing the ecological footprint of what you’re ordering. Chef Nathan brings a Canadian twist to his culinary background in French cuisine, with a selection of cocktails creatively inspired by the region and rich history of The Walper. Join us for the best in modern cocktails, adventurous pizza, and local craft beer.
Lunch. Brunch. Dinner. Drinks. Or stop in and. stock up on takeout cocktails to enjoy alongside our delicious pizzas. At The Civil, we believe in quality, community, compassion and, well, cocktails. We are driven to create a welcoming space that.truly serves the people of KW. We regularly spearhead charity initiatives that directly impact those in our community. We put our money where our mouths are. Let’s make change. 151 Charles Street, Kitchener. | thecivil.ca
... & more Date Nights Ideas from
Lisa McDonald 2those2girls
* KW Titans Pro Basketball Games at The Aud all Spring Entertainment’s three local theatres are all running shows this Spring: * Drayton Billy Bishop Goes to War, St Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre, May 25-June 12 * * Fiddler on the Loose, Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge, June 1-18 * Mama Mia, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, beginning June 15th.
* Traveller, many hidden moons ago…an outdoor exhibition at The Museum * Movies return to Waterloo Park this year. Dates include May 6th and June 3rd * Join the Campfire at Waterloo Public Square the second Wednesday of May, June & July. 5
You do? We do too! Andréa Parisien
Wedding Sales Manager, The Walper Hotel
Now that you’ve popped some bubbly and allowed the excitement to sink in, it’s time to find the venue that screams “you”. As Sales Manager at the Walper Hotel, my approach to wedding planning is simple: create a day that is custom to each couple’s unique vision. Bespoke experiences cannot be recycled weekend after weekend. I want you to write yourselves into the rich history of our incredible property – in a way as unique as you are! Selecting the ideal venue is by far the toughest part of the wedding planning process. There is no such thing as an insider secret. It will be easier for both you and your venue to have an experience as forward, transparent, & honest as possible. Here are some tips to help ensure that happens.
Be sure to... Understand what is included in the per-person and/or rental fees. Everything from elements, (like tables, chairs, linens, and place settings), to personnel (bartenders & planning coordinators, etc.), to labour may or may not be covered. Inquire about incentives for slower seasons and/or non-traditional days of the week. This can help you invest more of your budget into the juicy bits, like food and beverage, instead of event space rental.
Photography by Michael Steingard
Consider the style and character of each venue carefully. Does it yield a classic, simplistic beauty? Or will it require significant embellishing? Ascertain the degree of tailoring and modification possible. A good venue will want to customize to your preference, vision, and budget, and will engage with you to make that happen in every realistic way possible. Ask if the venue is inclusive, accommodating, and/or welcoming. Do they permit same-sex couples? Are there allowances for furry friends? Can they easily accommodate guests with mobility/accessibility issues? Request a preferred vendor list. You’ll want one that is based on the venue’s working experience with the vendors. A venue should only recommend vendors whose professionalism they can vouch for based on time spent together, rather than money exchanged. Agree to a safe guaranteed guest count or minimum spend. It should consider the 10% golden rule of RSVP declines. (Tip: If your spend is sitting below the minimum, see if the venue is dedicated to re-investing back into your day via upgrades. )
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Be careful not to... Feel pressured into making an impulsive commitment. A wedding is a huge investment of time and finances, so a good venue will place a courtesy hold on a date while you shop around. Overlook the proximity of the venue to guest accommodations. Does the venue have accommodations itself? To ensure everyone gets home safely, will you have to provide a shuttle services or Uber vouchers? Neglect asking about any ‘extra’ fees. There are plenty that can creep onto your invoice after signing: DJ/AV plug-in, cake cutting, candle relighting, additional décor rentals, set up/tear down, early/ late check-outs, and so forth. You’ll want to be sure you are aware of your extra costs! The right wedding venue will work tirelessly with you to build a long-lasting relationship – one that offers a reliable location for celebrating any and all momentous occasions down the road! As a potential client, you should feel empowered to ask questions, make requests and demand the highest level of finesse.
You’ve waited long enough. locale s p o t l i g h t
Get a little social.
1 King street West Kitchener 519-745-8478
twhsocial.com
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Springtime Spaghetti CARBONARA
The very first dinner that I learned to make was Spaghetti Carbonara. I was10 years old and my Mom signed me up for cooking classes at a charming kitchenware store called “The Pantry” in downtown Kitchener. This dish is delicious yet super easy – essentially, raw eggs are tossed with hot, cooked spaghetti to create a creamy sauce. This recipe uses whole eggs although some cooks prefer to use the yolks only. When Spring arrives and asparagus is in abundance, I love to throw some in for a pop of colour and freshness. Not an asparagus fan? Substitute fresh peas or thinly sliced snow peas. METHOD < DANA S H O RT T Owner of Dana Shortt Gourmet & Gifts
INGREDIENTS 2 Tbsp
Extra virgin olive oil
1 cup
Diced pancetta
1 cup
Finely diced sweet onions
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Asparagus, bottom third discarded and sliced into 2” pieces
2
Eggs
1 pkg
Dried spaghetti (454 grams or so)
2/3 cup
Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Salt
Kosher salt
Pepper
Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Parsley
Chopped parsley, for garnishing
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. • Beat the eggs in a small bowl and set aside. • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden and beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the sweet onions and cook for another few minutes, until they begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook until the asparagus is crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta asparagus mixture from the pan and set aside (leave any remaining oil in the pan). • Cook the spaghetti “al dente” according the package directions and drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the olive oil, set over medium heat. Using tongs, toss the spaghetti with the olive oil until well coated. Add about ¼ cup of the cooking water to the skillet (if the bottom of the pan is too dry, the eggs will scramble them when you add them). • Remove the skillet from the heat and add the eggs. Quickly toss the pasta with the eggs until the eggs thicken and coat the pasta – continually toss so that the eggs don’t scramble. Add a little more cooking water if the sauce seems too thick. • Add in the reserved pancetta, sautéed onions, asparagus and parmesan cheese and season to taste with pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
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locale s p o t l i g h t
A Luxury Beach Getaway BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE BAEUMLER FAMILY
TRINA STEWART Editor, Locale
Bryan and Sarah Baeumler are no strangers to taking
travel back and forth to South Andros to help navigate
on challenges, however, with a termite infestation,
the ever-changing global environment. We had the
hurricanes and a Global Pandemic, their dreams of
opportunity to speak with Sarah Baeumler about
renovating a dilapidated island resort in the Bahamas
the resort, life on the island and what’s next for the
has been their biggest challenge yet. With over 10 acres,
Baeulmer family.
Caerula Mar, is in the tranquil and serene Island of
TRINA: IT’S SUCH A PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH YOU
South Andros, located in the Bahamas.
ABOUT YOUR NEW ADVENTURE. TELL US ABOUT
Filming their fourth season of HGTV’s Island of Bryan,
CAERULA MAR CLUB AND WHO YOUR TARGET
the Baeumler’s left the island and re-located to Southern
CLIENT MAY BE.
Florida. They have purchased a small home in an
When we first visited South Andros on a family boating
aeronautical community where Bryan has since fulfilled
trip, we realized it was one of The Bahamas’ best kept
a childhood dream of becoming a pilot.
secrets. We noticed that divers and fisherman were
With the pandemic still a huge part of their daily lives,
really the only tourism markets here. Our hope with
the viewers will watch as the family continues to
opening Caerula Mar Club was to give the leisure
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traveler a reason to visit the island and
TRINA: DESCRIBE WHY A COUPLE WOULD
experience its natural wonders and meet its
CHOOSE A DESTINATION WEDDING AT THE
vibrant, friendly locals, which is what drew
CAERULA MAR CLUB?
us here in the first place. Total seclusion is a key selling point for Caerula Mar. We’re spread across 10 acres on one of the most tranquil and beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Our villas are stand-alone and steps from the shoreline for the ultimate getaway allowing for individuals, couples, and families to feel like they are part of our community. Caerula Mar is a romantic and unplugged escape for couples (the stars here at night are incredible!), but we also get a lot of families with older children [the resort is open to guests ages 12+], small groups of boating/fishing enthusiasts, scuba divers, and groups of friends looking to reconnect and relax.
Weddings at Caerula Mar are all about seclusion, serenity and our untouched location where the water is some of the bluest, you’ll find in the Caribbean. It has an almost mystical quality. With this stunning backdrop, most of our wedding guests like to keep things simple in terms of decor. Our boutique size is perfect for intimate weddings and in the past, we’ve had couples tour the island for some incredible wedding day photography. Our culinary teams create an exceptional menu sourcing fresh farm-to-table and sea-totable dining experiences. Our boutique spa can provide services for the bridal party, while our resort boats can be chartered to take groups out for day or evening adventures including diving, snorkeling and to explore the island’s famous blue holes. Our Events Team does a remarkable job at with every destination wedding to ensuring they are unforgettable for our guests. From working with the florist to finalizing the decor and even just grabbing a drink with the couple to hear about their story, that personal touch makes all the difference. For weddings we recommend anytime during early spring, late fall, or winter. Our seasonal closure is September through to the end of October. Rain is always a possibility in a tropical environment like The Bahamas. We have a beautiful indoor space
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locale s p o t l i g h t at Lusca, our fine dining restaurant, that can be used
DREAM ROMANTIC GETAWAY AT CAERULA
when the weather is less than ideal. For groups of more
Caerula Mar sits on 10 secluded beachfront acres in
than 24 guests, a property buyout is required (buyouts
South Andros, dotted with palm trees and spread across
can accommodate 60 guests total).
powder-white sands edged with crystalline turquoise
TRINA: YOU FACED CHALLENGES WITH THE ISLAND,
waters. With over 90 miles of pristine beaches, the
INCLUDING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT AFFECTED THE
greatest number of Blue Holes, and the world’s third
WORLD. WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND
largest fringing barrier reef, making the island a must-
REWARDS? WERE THERE ANY SILVER LININGS YOU
visit destination for diving, snorkeling, boating and
CAN SHARE?
fishing. South Andros has its own international customs and is accessible via a 20-minute flight from Nassau or a
Big challenges reap big rewards and that’s certainly
60-minute flight from Ft. Lauderdale’s Executive Airport.
been the case with Caerula Mar. With this being our first hotel project, there was a lot to learn. In the beginning,
HOW TO BOOK YOUR DREAM DESTINATION WEDDING
it was figuring out the logistics of importing materials
AT CAERULA MAR CLUB
into such a remote location. This project has taught
• Selection of Private Villas + Clubhouse suites
us to pick our battles and focus on the end goal of sharing our little slice of heaven with the world. It was a
• Min. of 5 night stay for couples getting married
life changing experience as we were able to share this
• Guest must stay at Resort
adventure with our kids and viewers around the world.
• Wedding Packages range from $1,500 to $14,000
We’ve also had the weather affect our plans more than once. Construction in a tropical destination is a whole different ball game than what we deal with when we’re working on homes in Canada and the U.S. All of this seems small when you think about the pandemic, which severely impacted the world just after we first opened. Having to close our property and living on the island with our family was surreal. During the pandemic, our community was suffering, and this affected us on many levels. The silver lining was the time we were able to spend together and really seeing the lengths everyone in the community goes through to help one another. The most rewarding part of opening and operating Caerula Mar is spending time with our guests. We’ll join them for dinner, join them on a scuba diving adventure, hang out by the pool or grab drinks with them at Driffs Beach Bar. Seeing everyone immediately relax once they get to our little remote paradise is worth every challenge we’ve endured along the way. The guests love to mingle too and meet one another; everyone is part of the family when they’re at Caerula Mar.
CONDE NAST TRAVELLER’S “THE HOT LIST OF 2020 “BEST NEW BEACH HOTELS”
For more information about the Caerula Mar Club as a romantic getaway or a wedding destination, visit their website at www.caerulamar.com
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5 ECO-FRIENDLY
Wedding favours Irene
Interested in making your big event a little easier on the planet? Read on for some fun ideas to impress your guests while reducing the carbon footprint of your wedding. There are many items that are sourced locally and sustainably and then there are items that leave zero waste. Ideally, we look for both of those qualities, but in a pinch, the main guideline would be to avoid plastic items as they take hundreds of years to decompose and create pollution all over the world.
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locale s h o p s
Seed Paper Greeting Cards These have beautiful texture and a thick feel and can be custom-made to match your wedding theme and colours. Come spring, instead of collecting dust on a shelf, these cards will bring the beauty of flowers to your guests’ garden or balcony and create a lovely and natural reminder of your amazing wedding.
All Natural Soap Bars Many soaps contain micro-plastics, which are not only questionable for our health, but also go down our drain and ultimately contribute to plastics in our oceans. Instead, look for handmade, local soap with paper packaging. All natural ingredients (ones that sound familiar and pronounceable) are your best bet. They can be coloured with natural mica to create incredible hues and patterns.
Dried Bud Bouquets Mini bouquets made of dried flowers are very on-trend and create zero waste. Opt for craft paper wrapping with raffia ribbon. These make adorable keepsakes for decorating a shelf or putting in a bud vase. When sourcing these, look for unbleached, unprocessed flowers like lavender and naturally beige bunny tails. Bleached dried florals, (like white or pink pampas grass and bunny tails) go through a harsh chemical process. You can even dry your own by bundling them up and hanging them upside down, away from direct sunlight. Flowers that dry well naturally include: straw flowers, baby’s breath, amaranth, eucalyptus, statice, blue thistle and hydrangea.
FEATURE YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS HERE! We would løvë to help you advertise your business. Çåll ûs
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519.725.1631
