GoodLife Georgian Bay Spring 2015

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Editorial Contributions Erika Engel Patti Vipond Leigh Blenkhorn Bart Card Katherine Elphick Maija Hoggett Gordon Stimmell 11 Ronell Cres. Collingwood, ON L9Y 4J6 Phone: 705-444-1875 Fax: 705-444-1876 for advertising inquiries please email cmcmenemy@simcoe.com or call 705-444-1875 DIGITAL EDITION: www.goodlifemagazine.ca follow us twitter.com/goodlifebarrie Statements opinions and point of view expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, advertisers or Good Life Georgian Bay. Good Life is published four times per year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

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contents 10 29

43 6 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

10 19 29 35 40 43 48 52 40 56 60 66

Chalet Chic After discovering a natural talent for interior design, this homeowner created a retreat that has both élan and ease.

Chalet Update A modern take on the traditional chalet is the perfect space for modern living.

Luxury Alpine Living Stylish executive chalet InCollingwood, the Kitchen with Randy Feltis PIE’s biggest location so far extending the formula that seems to be working.

Drink Spring wines Enjoying Sunday Brunch Best brunch recipes from around Simcoe County. Portfolio Judy Shield, coordinator of the Meaford Creative Arts Association. Spring. Has. Arrived. Tips for reducing your outdoor chores this spring. Events Music, events and entertainment for the whole family right here in Simcoe County.

Travel Island in the sun - Barbados. InBreakingtheDownCrowd Barriers marked its ninth-annual Rockin’ the House charity curling bonspiel.

editors note Spring forward. Get ready to be inspired…

Editors

The longer days, bright sunshine and warmer temperatures of spring fuel an inner desire in me to do something. It really feels like the beginning; a chance for a fresh start mixed with an overwhelming sense of positivity. The season synonymous with rain showers and budding flowers is also a perfect time to tackle a long overdue home project, plan activities with friends and family, and just get moving again.

Thanks to Scott Woodhouse’s guided tour (Update Chalet p. 19), I can’t stop thinking about relaxing in that funky chalet on the Niagara Escarpment and being able to see the lights on the slopes at Snow Valley, located an hour’s drive away. Now that is a view! I hope the collection of articles in this edition of GoodLife leaves a lasting impression on you as well.

In this issue, we help you spring forward by inspiring you with great decorating ideas in our three chalet tours. Each property has a unique feel, while maximizing space and embracing the surroundings. If you don’t live in a chalet already, these properties will show you how both traditional and modern decor can fit beautifully into this style of home. On the food front, we welcome the forth location for PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint to Collingwood and speak with CityLine celebrity chef and co-owner Randy Feltis about pizza, fresh food, eating contests and what you must try on the menu. And, to spur you to make time for family and friends, we have served up a smorgasbord of brunch options so you can make reservations or follow these recipes at home. This issue also contains spring wine suggestions, tips to make outdoors easier, a trip to Barbados and so much more. Enjoy this edition, thanks for reading and we’ll see you in summer!

ELISEALLAIN General Manager

Editor-in-chief

Contributors

goodlife@simcoe.com

LORIMARTIN

Elise Allain

KATHERINEELPHICK

food writer

“Sweet and savoury dishes were on the food writing menu this issue. Delicious stories range from a brunch tour of Simcoe County, featuring local chefs offering up their favourite make-at-home brunch recipes — to an update on what’s going on at local sugar bushes. Finally, a trip to downtown Barrie’s J’adore Fine Cheese and Chocolate Shop delighted this foodie — big time.”

8 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

BARTCARD travel writer

“Coming from Bermuda it is hard to make the comparison but I have been visiting Barbados since the sixties and love both the culture and the “laid back”, less formal, way of life. I try to convey the attractions, of which there are many, other than the sun, sea and glorious beaches. “

ELLIEKISTEMAKER

MIKEGUILBAULT

“For this issue I was lucky enough to take enchanting photos of my favourite meal... Brunch. I’ve always been a big fan of breakfast foods, and brunch gives you all that, plus the ability to sleep in. Comfort foods like bread pudding and pulled pork join forces with some yummy egg dishes; who could ask for more? Enjoy creating these recipes for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.”

“Photographing home tours is both a pleasure and a challenge. On one hand you have beautiful architecture, furniture, and art work but you also want to capture the warmth and luxury of these spaces. You can probably deduce from the images I take which features inspire me, and that usually includes the woodwork.”

food photographer

home photographer

home tour |Collingwood

Chalet for All Seasons

By Patti Vipond | Photography by Mike Guilbault

10 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 â&#x2013;

ith the Lora Bay golf course a chip shot away, Georgian Bay within sight and Collingwood’s famed ski hills just down the road, this chalet is a perfectly placed, all-season retreat for an active family.

When interior designer Christine Pritchard and her husband were searching the Collingwood area five years ago for their next family home, she already had a cherished vision of their new residence. “I definitely wanted something far more rustic than our current home, a chalet-style house but one that was a little different,” says Christine, whose family was moving from an ultra-contemporary home in Oakville that had been styled completely in black and white by the designer. “There are a lot of beautiful modern places, but I wanted to do something that was a lot more traditional.”

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 11

home tour | Collingwood

12 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 â&#x2013;

“

I knew right away that it had a chalet feel. We could have done anything with it, but we wanted to stay true to the character it had initially.”

Having that vision led Christine to see the potential in an unfinished house in the enclave of elegant homes at The Golf Club at Lora Bay in Thornbury. Located near the shore of Georgian Bay in a prime year-round recreational area, the chalet-style home-to-be was a blank canvas ready to become the embodiment of Christine’s rustic residence. “When I saw the home the first time I walked in, it had this beautiful two-storey timber ceiling over the open-concept kitchen, dining room and great room,” recalls Christine, who owns Habitat Interiors in Thornbury. “I knew right away that it had a chalet feel. We could have done anything with it, but we wanted to stay true to the character it had initially. The style is also a reflection of this area with its trails, skiing and outdoor activities.” Drawing inspiration from the warmth and chalet look of the solid timber frame cathedral ceiling, Christine chose a soothing monochromatic palette to flow throughout the 2,684-square-foot home’s public spaces, five bedrooms, two bathrooms, powder room and lower level. The neutral colour scheme also accented the beautiful natural materials used in the chalet’s décor including a floor-to-ceiling stacked stone gas fireplace, solid wood interior doors and railings, and warm hardwood floors. In the kitchen, counters were crafted from leathered stone imported from Italy. The leathering process produces a very durable patterned stone with a matte finish. The raw stone that became the counter was handpicked by Christine in Toronto. On the same trip, she selected the unique granite slabs fashioned into countertops for the bathrooms. Creating a home from a shell of a house and honing the interior design plan to suit her family was a pleasure for the designer. “I love the challenge of finishing the design of a house to your own liking,” says Christine. “In this house, we designed the entire kitchen and finished the lower level. It already had the

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home tour |Collingwood

Refinished barn board headboard.

post and beam ceiling on the main floor, which was quite lovely. The hardwood floors had already been installed. However, all the rest of the interior finishes were picked by me and my husband. The craftsmanship in this house is outstanding. For instance, all window trims are solid wood with lovely crown moldings.” Durable laminate floors in a hardwood pattern were laid in the basement to allow radiant heating to be installed for year-round comfort. The lower level includes a recreation room, 14 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

laundry room, bathroom and two bedrooms. The master bedroom is located on the main level, making the home ideal for one-level living. The master suite includes a spa-like ensuite, walk-in closet and walk out to a quiet screened porch in the home’s private back yard. The landscaped yard and screened porch can also be accessed through a walk out in the great room where tall floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the backyard and fire pit, an exterior feature that is popular with the family year-round.

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Light fixtures for the chalet were chosen by Christine to accentuate the residence’s mountain house style. In the Great Room, an impressive replica antler chandelier, crafted in Calgary, is a traditional light fixture for chalets and the perfect design complement for the stone-clad gas fireplace and wide plank pine floors. Suspended over the dining room table, a chandelier composed of five faux pillar candles adds to the rustic ambience. The candles’ electric ‘flames’ can be dimmed down to candlelight wattage or turned up for brighter lighting. Graceful glass pendant lamps hang over the island in the kitchen, located midway between the Great Room and the dining room. The pendants look custom-made, but you can’t judge a lamp by its look. “These pendants were bought at Home Depot,” laughs Christine. “I saw them in a magazine, liked them and found them when I went to Home Depot for something else. I wanted light fixtures for the kitchen that had glass because when you have a really big fixture like the antler chandelier, you can’t overdo the other lighting in the room.” Another traditional chalet design feature is found in the master bedroom’s refinished barn board headboard. Though this headboard was ordered from California, the use of old Ontario barn board for interior design is on trend locally. Christine’s clients clamour for barn board headboards as well as barn board feature walls, hanging doors that roll open and shut on rails, and wall decorations. One client used a hanging barn board door to hide a wall-mounted television. “Any kind of barn board makes things very cozy and, in our area, authentic boards are very easy to find,” says Christine. “You just have to find a good carpenter. We also have a lot of metal and steel workers here who hand-forge rails for the doors to hang on. They work as closet doors as well as room doors. Even if the door is non-functional, it looks like a work of art.” The transition from Oakville to Thornbury was surprisingly smooth for the couple and their three young children. But the move from an urban area to a rural was even easier for Christine, who was raised in Germany amid the mountains by the Baltic Sea near the Denmark border. The Collingwood area’s ski hills, proximity to the shores of Georgian Bay and the friendliness of town life made her feel immediately at home in their Lora Bay chalet. “I like to be close to a big city, but I’m not

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Nobody eats he ric GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 15

home tour |Collingwood The pendants look custom-made, but you can’t judge a lamp by its look. “These pendants were bought at Home Depot,”

your typical city person,” she explains. “When we moved from Germany to Oakville, it was overwhelming. I like that in a small community, people are friendly and remember your name. The customer service is superb and people from the city comment on this all the time. You matter to them and they take their time.” When asked if knowing about and having access to many great interior design products and resources make designing one’s own home easier or harder, Christine says she has loved designing all of the homes her family has lived in, so it has never been difficult. “Initially, I went to university for interior decoration in Germany,” she recalls. “When I relocated to Canada with my husband and our first two little ones, I designed our Oakville home. I have my favourite design styles, like everybody does. But I like to switch up the designs a little at each house. We’ve moved into three houses since we came to this area and I’ve loved designing each one. Designers get to see so many great things that are inspiring. I see things and think that’s what I want to do for my next home.” This home is listed for sale at $875,000 by Steve Simon of Royal Lepage Locations North in Thornbury. The home is located at 102 John Watt Way in Lora Bay in Thornbury. For more information or to arrange a showing, please call Steve at 519-5992136, visit his office at 27 Arthur Street West in Thornbury or go to lifestyles-north.com.

“

The counters were crafted from leathered stone imported from Italy. The leathering process produces a very durable patterned stone with a matte finish.” A chandelier composed of five faux pillar » candles adds to the rustic ambience.

16 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

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home tour|Collingwood

Chalet Update By Scott Woodhouse | Photography by Mike Guilbault

Contemporary urban design and fantastic views make this modern take on the traditional chalet the perfect space for modern living

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 19

home tour|Collingwood

nita Lauer has seen her fair share of chalets – to the point where all that rustic stone and wood beam construction became a bit of a cottage country cliché. This time, the graphic artist-turned builder, wanted to create something a little more modern, design something a little more funky, and live in a space that was completely practical. Lauer’s dream chalet started with finding an outstanding location. Perched high up on the Niagara Escarpment, just around the corner from the Osler Bluff Ski Club, Lauer’s home offers a panoramic view of Georgian Bay and the Pretty River Valley. Building into the hillside had

20 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

its own design challenges, but that spectacular view, says Lauer, drove the design of the house. “The view basically determined the design of the home,” said Lauer. “I would definitely say the glass is the outstanding and pre-eminent feature of the house. We knew we had to use as much as we possibly could and still make feel the house cozy and livable.” The exterior is 50-per-cent glass, featuring anodized aluminum windows that slide open onto a wrap-around balcony, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living, while taking full advantage of natural lighting and stunning scenery.

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It’s a casual house with a smooth flow and no wasted space and that’s what I think modern living is about: practicality, clean design, and easy living. No fuss.” “The windows really make it because they just disappear. When you are looking out, you don’t really notice them – all you see is the scenery – and it is spectacular,” explained Lauer. “And they are practical. There is no maintenance and they have a thermal break, making them energy efficient.” Lauer notes the contemporary design and the exterior of the 4,300-square-foot home al-

low it to blend in with its environment. The design profile, with its peaked roof combined with downward curving porch lines, doesn’t impose, but blends in with the surrounding environment. The same goes for the colour scheme, with subtle stony greys and darker brown siding making the home one with nature. Entry is gained through a large, stylish

(705) 422-0114 julie-waltho@mollymaid.ca GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 21

home tour|Collingwood

“

The bright open concept floor plan takes full advantage of the natural light all through the day and joins a large dining area and adjacent kitchen.”

22 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

doorway adjacent to a two-car garage that features translucent garage doors, providing plenty of natural light on the inside. A large, brightly lit foyer joins onto a first floor fitness/recreation room before a staircase that leads to the main floor. Like a good novel, this home has several recurring motifs throughout, including its limewashed oak flooring on the main floor. The muted low-lustre finish is great because it doesn’t show dog hair – which is fantastic when you share the house with a beautiful black poodle. Lauer also used the same large grey tiles throughout the first floor foyer and recreation room, the kitchen and bathrooms, again creating a smooth and seamless flow throughout the house. “I like to use the same tile throughout the house – it gives it a nice flow,” said Lauer. “If you’re constantly changing flooring patterns, it can be a bit jarring.” Another recurring theme that gives this modern chalet an updated and cool sophisticated look is the use of anodized aluminum. Along with the windows, the open staircase utilizes railings made of the same material, which goes nicely with the large aluminum fan in the great room, which is indicative of Lauer’s funky sense of style. “I never really liked chandeliers and I had one in my last cathedral house, but I find that you never really use them,” explained Lauer. “I just wanted to do something sculptural and kind of cool.” Enter the Big Ass fan company. The funky eight-foot fan looks like it came off a solar powered airplane and is functional as well as giving the room an eclectic aesthetic. The living room is anchored by a classic woodburning fireplace, which was a must, according to Lauer. The made-in-Canada Valcourt airtight insert features a guillotine door that disappears into the hearth, allowing you to easily load wood on the fire and have an unrivalled view of the flames. The fire screen is also equipped with a guillotine mechanism that lets you enjoy an open fire in safety when the ceramic glass door is open. The floor-to-ceiling chimney is constructed with a dark slate tile that carries on the clean lines and urbane interior design and contains a built–in wood storage unit. The mantle features a gorgeous piece of west coast aboriginal art – a wood carving of an eagle keeping a steely eye on the room. The bright open concept floor plan takes

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home tour|Collingwood

The large ensuite bathroom contains twin cubist-inspired Italian sinks with hidden drains and stainless Riobel taps coming out of the wall, a large glassed-in shower with rain head and a simple, yet sophisticated, soaker tub.

24 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 â&#x2013;

natural full advantage of the natural light all through the day and joins a large dining area and adjacent kitchen. As the heart of the home, the kitchen typically sees the most activity of any room, making it essential to create an appealing design without compromising functionality and it is this ethos that led Lauer to choose a Miton designer kitchen. “Just because it’s beautiful doesn’t mean it can’t be practical,” said Lauer. The spacious kitchen is clean and uncluttered and is centered by a large island topped with grey silestone. The sleek contemporary design features minimalistic handleless cabinets by Miton, an Italian company noted for its cutting edge designs. Large sliding drawers that contain a second hidden drawer create an abundance of storage space and high-tech Bosch stainless steel appliances, including an induction stovetop and a conveniently located wine fridge add functionality. Matching faucets by Graff, on the counter and on the island, finish off the culinary workspace. The modern kitchen design features sleek lines and crisp colours, but the modern and contemporary is partly offset and complemented by the use of earth-friendly walnut tones on the sidewall cabinets. The grey countertop and glass backsplash provide a neutral background for Lauer’s colourful pieces of folk art that decorate the kitchen. Everything in the kitchen has a purpose including the sliding door that leads to the laundry room and the back deck. Matching grey barn board trims out a chalkboard that is perfect for writing down grocery lists and appointments. Funky light fixtures became a bit of a fetish for Lauer during the decorating phase of the project and they really are the jewelry of the home. The light overtop of the island, from Panet Lighting in Toronto, consists of glass balls on metal spikes, that she painstakingly put together herself and the result is spectacular. In the adjacent dining room, another fixture features hand blown glass formed to look like river stone worn smooth by the waters of time. In the front staircase, hanging lights look like billowing clouds on a clear day, and in the master bathroom, a twigs in the forest fixture connects inside to outside with the forest view from the window. “I don’t like things to match too much. Otherwise it just looks too put together. It’s just not interesting,” she said, explaining her search

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 25

home tour|Collingwood for the perfect lighting to complement the chalet’s modern look. “First, I bought the rocks and then I found the bubbles. I find when you’re building a new house you have to find one thing you love and start building on it, when it comes to doing the interior.” The kitchen opens onto a covered back deck, where the barbecue is conveniently located. The deck, which features more anodized aluminum railings in-filled with clear glass panels, providing an unobstructed view of the scenic landscape as it wraps around to the front of the house. The main level master bedroom is its own self-contained apartment. It has a private balcony overlooking the valley and a large walkin closet with custom designed cabinets from Muti. The large ensuite bathroom contains twin cubist-inspired Italian sinks with hidden drains and stainless Riobel taps coming out of the wall, a large glassed-in shower with rain head and a simple, yet sophisticated, soaker tub. The top floor contains four more spacious bedrooms, including a guest bedroom with its own fully appointed en suite. All of the bedroom closets have sliding eight-foot doors with antique skis as handles, another of Lauer’s funky decorating ideas. Two more bedrooms share another bath at the other end of the mezzanine, from which, you can look down into the great room or straight out the top triangular window onto the Collingwood Shipyards. Turn your gaze north and you can follow the curve of Wasaga Beach all the way to Christian Island. Look south and west and enjoy the lush green of the Pretty River Valley. “The view is unbelievable – at night I can see the lights of Snow Valley,” said Lauer. Keeping things comfortable and cozy, the home has four heating zones, each with its own thermostat. The first floor and all of the bathrooms have radiant in-floor heating, and under each of the large windows sleek European style radiators, which makes it really easy to heat, said Lauer. This modern update of the traditional chalet epitomizes what Lauer considers the ultimate goal of modern living. “It’s a casual house with a smooth flow and no wasted space,” she said. “And that’s what I think modern living is about: practicality, clean design, and easy living. No fuss.”

All of the bedroom closets have sliding eight-foot doors with antique skis as handles, another of Lauer’s funky decorating ideas.

26 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

C E LE B RAT I N G LI F E S I N C E 1 8 6 2 www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com COLLINGWOOD CHAPEL 82 PINE ST. 705.445.2651

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feature|home tour

L uxury alpine living Spectacular views from Windrose Estates’ stylish executive chalet

By Scott Woodhouse | Photography by Mike Guilbault

amed for Queen Elizabeth’s Royal yacht, Windrose Estates’ Britannia model home exudes the same class and luxury one would expect on a royal honeymoon. This stunningly sophisticated residence is located just outside of Collingwood in an exclusive enclave of 37 estate lots being developed by renowned builder MacPherson Homes. Surrounded by the great outdoors, Windrose

Estates beckons to those who enjoy a full and active lifestyle. Next door to top-notch recreation facilities, including world-class golf courses, the largest concentration of ski resorts in Ontario, and a hiking/biking trail system that is second to none, not to mention the clear blue waters of Georgian Bay, this is a vacation home you’ll never want to leave. This 4,200-square-foot home was designed with luxury alpine living and entertaining in »

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 29

feature|home tour

“

This 4,200-square-foot home was designed with luxury alpine living and entertaining in mind and the very open floor plan allows many people to enjoy each other’s company with easy movement.”

30 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

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mind and the very open floor plan allows many people to enjoy each other’s company with easy movement. It is richly appointed with modern appliances, thoughtful floor plans and expert craftsmanship. The site offers smashing views of the Osler Bluff Ski Club out the front window, and just as incredible views of Blue Mountain from the back deck. The exterior features a classic alpine silhouette, with post and beam accents in the gables adding to its mountain personality. Precast stone veneer and maroon hardie board siding complete this stylish home’s chalet look. From the moment you enter through the grand eight-foot front double doorway, you can soak in the comfort and style this executive chalet offers. The large front foyer welcomes guests with the rich warmth of its solid wood floor that runs throughout the main level. The main hallway leads directly into a great room that features a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace as its centerpiece and the post and beam construction in the great room gives the home that rustic sophistication sought after by those wanting a chalet-chic retreat for après-ski. Ten-foot ceilings on the main floor, large banks of windows in every room with spectacular views of the Niagara Escarpment and neutral walltones just add to the bright and spacious feel. Interior designer Michelle Pasquale says she wanted to showcase the Britannia’s most grandiose features, such as the double front doors to the grand foyer, high ceilings, large rooms and second floor staircase that overlooks the massive great room, but still keep the warmth and comfort that we all associate with a ski chalet. Stylish and practical, this spacious chalet- »

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feature|home tour

style home is perfect for entertaining and relaxing. And the entertaining likely will start in the kitchen immediately to the right of the great room, where chefs can work their culinary magic on the island while chatting with guests cozied up around the fireplace. The rich dark walnut cabinetry of the island contrasts nicely with the light French country-style cabinets, both picking up the highlights of the luxurious leathered granite counter top. Designed and built by Paris Kitchens, the cooking space is anchored by a six-burner stainless gas stovetop and features a state-of-the-art Sub Zero fridge disguised with panels that match the kitchen cabinetry. The custom kitchen also includes a huge pantry with nifty interlocking shelves that provide an incredible amount of easily accessible storage space and a built-in microwave and dishwasher are conveniently located in the island. One of the most talked-about features of the Britannia is its main floor, walk-in wine room. This environmentally-controlled wine pantry – we can’t call it a cellar because it is on the main floor – is within arms reach of the kitchen, has room for 200-plus bottles of wine and will make sure your vintages are at just the right serving temperature and your guest’s glasses are never empty. The kitchen’s stunning stone backsplash continues behind the adjacent chef’s desk and into the butler’s wet bar as well, creating lots of visual interest by combining both rugged and smooth textures. The adjacent breakfast room opens up into a large formal dining room that boasts a large harvest table from Restoration Hardware. On one side, a bank of windows provides a spectacular backyard view, with the Blue Mountains rising in the background; on the other side, the gas fireplace provides warmth beneath a large iron clock. “The dining room was designed to give diners the full Collingwood experience with the

32 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

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large windows on the outer walls, allowing for breathtaking views, and the two-way fireplace on the inner side, providing the feeling of a warm campfire without having to step outside,” explains Pasquale. “The large clock hanging over the fireplace in the dining area is one of my favourite pieces in the entire house, adding texture and intrigue to get people talking at the table, but it is so complementary to the space that no one ‘watches the time’ but instead, they get lost in its beauty.” At the front of the house, to the right of the front foyer, a cozy den offers yet another stunning view of Osler Bluffs Ski Club. With an adjacent butler’s servery connecting this room to the kitchen, it’s the perfect space for a home office or TV room. To the left of the front entrance is a main floor guest bedroom. It’s a self-contained sanctuary with its own en suite bath, giving guests and homeowners their privacy. A vaulted catwalk leading from the stairs to the sleeping area provides a great view of the floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the living room. The post and beam details by Legendary Log Crafters, a Collingwood company, highlight the large ceiling heights and carry over into the master bedroom. “The master bedroom was designed to provide relaxation and luxury with its large room space, inviting and soothing color scheme and the sizable master bathroom. The room is complete with the sleigh bed, dark wooden timber frames and full-size windows looking onto the mountains,” adds Pasquale. The en suite to the master bedroom also features a frameless glass enclosure shower, more leathered granite and more incredible views. The upstairs features four bedrooms, and three baths, each one designed and built to be its own self-contained sanctuary. Less glamorous, but just as essential, the main floor laundry room continues the leathered granite motif and joins onto the large mudroom. It’s the perfect space to drop you ski gear before heading in to warm up by the fireplace with hot chocolate. It has access to the back porch and the spacious three-car garage, which has plenty of room to stow all your gear. And there is still more room to roam. The large unfinished basement has room for a large recreation area, more bedrooms and a bathroom. The Britannia is one of eight styles and floor plans being offered by MacPherson at Windrose Estates on lots from one to two acres located at the corner of Osler Bluff Road and Sixth Street.

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34 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

CHEF J’ADORE in the kitchen|PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint

• WITH

IN THE

Randy Feltis

BY KATHERINE ELPHICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLIE KISTEMAKER

Six thousand square feet of “pizza, rock and roll and fun,” is how chef Randy Feltis describes Collingwood’s newly opened PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint. Located on Collingwood’s Highway 26 main drag, the 200-seat restaurant is the fourth PIE to open in Ontario since 2009. “Collingwood is our biggest location so far,” says Feltis, who owns and operates the successful chain with business partner Craig Russell. With two Barrie locations, a Pickering franchise and now a Collingwood address, the PIE formula seems to be working. Recently, this GoodLife reporter caught up with the busy 40-yearold restaurateur to chat about everything from his latest Collingwood PIE venture and the secret to making perfect pizza to his celebrity chef gig at CityLine. »

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 35

in the kitchen|PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint

“

our real secret is fun”

GoodLife: How’s business in Collingwood? Randy Feltis: Amazing! On our very first night, without any advertising, we opened the doors at 5:30 p.m. and 40 people walked in. By 9:30 p.m., we sold out of pizza with over 350 orders. And I was like, [laughs] oh no! We just hadn’t expected that. The next day, it was the same thing. We really haven’t slowed down since we opened.

RF: Thanks! To be honest, many people tell us our pizza is pretty darn good. Given its price point, quality and consistency, I think our pizza is world class. Good food aside, our real secret is fun. When you walk in and see the pizza guys, it’s almost like going to the zoo and seeing wild animals running around. They are very entertaining, even though they do push the limits at times with their banter [laughs].

What led to a Collingwood PIE? RF: The plan for our next location was Muskoka, but a friend suggested taking over the old East Side Mario’s in Collingwood. The building had sat empty for almost a year, which we like because you have to give a restaurant a chance to die before bringing it back to life. The location is perfect, so we went for it and opened up on December 30, 2014.

Can you expand? RF: There’s nothing fancy about PIE. We beat out the fancy. We don’t want to intimidate anyone — that’s why it’s super casual and family focussed. People love the music videos, our casual servers and the crazy eating events. For us, it’s all about having fun and projecting great energy.

I understand the renovation process was aggressive. RF: We did it in six weeks and it was insane! Every day, we had over 30 tradespeople working to get it into shape. The bones of the building were good, but it was a beat-up restaurant that needed a lot of love. Our plan was to open in March 2015, but then everyone kept telling us to open for the holiday season because it’s the busiest time in the world in Collingwood. PIE really does cook up a mean pizza.

36 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

The formula is working. After opening up Barrie’s first location in 2009, you’ve added two more locations and a franchise. RF: We are definitely doing something right. It was one thing to make the first PIE profitable, but when success repeated itself with our second PIE (located 10 minutes away on Barrie’s waterfront), we realized we were onto something. Since you’re new to Collingwood, I’ll give local residents a run down of your culinary career. Starting with Oscars, a Barrie Bistro

you opened in 1999 at the age of 24, you’ve proceeded to become the owner/operator of three PIE restaurants (co-owns with Craig Russell) and Barrie’s Farmhouse restaurant (co-owns with his wife Sarah). Along with having a four-year-old son, you’re also a CityLine celebrity chef. How do you balance it all? RF: It’s a juggling act, but I love the challenge [smiles]. With the new Collingwood restaurant, I’ve been running around with my head cut off, but it’s all fun. I start my day by dropping my boy off at school and then I make the restaurant rounds. What’s the secret to making really good pizza? RF: There are two secrets. A wood fired oven is key. Once you’ve had wood fired pizza, you’ll never want to taste anything else. Secondly, it’s the dough. To get our dough just right, we brought over pizza chefs from Italy. Over several months, these Italian dough experts showed us the tricks of the trade. How long does it take to cook a pizza? RF: Ninety seconds. It’s quick because the oven burns at 850F. The reason we are open 364 days a year is because the oven can’t get cold. If it gets cold, it takes almost a day to get it back up to temperature. Our Collingwood pizza oven weighs 6,500 pounds, which is as much as a Rolls-Royce! It’s our biggest pizza stage yet, and on Friday and Saturday nights, we’re doing 600 to 700 pizzas. It’s crazy because we are basically baking 10 pizzas at time every two minutes. It doesn’t stop all night.

That’s a lot of pizza! RF: We’ve been able to move high numbers because we hired our Collingwood staff prior to opening and trained them in Barrie. What’s your most popular pizza? RF: Hands down, it’s pepperoni. All the pizzas sell really well and they are obviously our strength. Fifty per cent of our entire sales (including bar sales) are from pizza. We also offer great salads, amazing appetizers, fantastic pastas along with chicken and fish dishes. We are also making a new pizza, which is giving our classic pepperoni some competition. It’s the pepperoni plus, which features regular shredded and fresh mozzarella and it’s topped with my dad’s maple syrup and a chili infusion. It’s sweet and spicy, and it’s making a run for it in Collingwood.

www.goodlifemagazine.ca

What three course meal would you order for me? RF: Let’s go with a sharing menu. I’d start with the meatball garlic bread sliders (with tomato sauce, mozzarella and bacon) because they are awesome. For pizza, I’d suggest my wife, Sarah’s favourite, which is the tsunami pie (roasted chicken, cheese sauce, spinach, roasted garlic, chilies, fresh mozzarella, black pepper and parmesan). For dessert, I’d go with the sweet balls (deep fried pizza dough topped with icing sugar, cinnamon and dulce de leche). What’s your food philosophy? RF: It’s pretty simple. Zero processed and make everything in house. Let’s hear about PIE’s annual pizza-eating competition. RF: We are doing it on the Sunday of Kempenfest weekend in Barrie. To qualify, you have to eat a Kobi (a pizza with cheese and tomato sauce), in less than a minute and 20 seconds. Last summer, the reigning champion, Takeru Kobayashi, ate 62 slices (or 15.5 pizzas) in 12 minutes. Pat Deep Dish Eats from Chicago was right behind him at 58 slices. First place earns $3,000, plus a personal parking spot; second place earns $1,500; third place gets $750 and fourth place $500. In the future, we might even bring the eating contest to Collingwood. What led PIE into the bizarre world of eating competitions? RF: It’s fun! And it’s the world’s best gorilla marketing. Our event has been covered by the Toronto Sun, the Toronto Star, local news outlets, the Weather Network, TSN, CBC and so

The finest homes in the region, the best restaurants, recipes, unique local businesses, exotic destinations around the world and everything in between: this is GoodLife Magazine. Advertise your business in an environment reflecting your brand. goodlifemagazine.ca | goodlife@simcoe.com | 705.444.1875 GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 37

in the kitchen|PIE Wood Fired Pizza Joint on. You can’t buy that kind of publicity. Craig and I came up with the idea one day when we were just sitting at the bar. We had heard Takeru Kobayashi didn’t sign a MLE (Major League Eating) contract, so he was free to eat at other venues. When we approached him about hosting an event at PIE, he loved the idea! Let’s talk about CityLine. RF: I’m one of the three (official) chefs with Massimo Capra and Jason Parsons. It’s a huge honour to be working with these guys. How do you serve folks with special dietary issues? RF: We have a gluten-free shell for pizzas. It’s the only thing that we don’t make in house because we don’t want to cross contaminate. We also have gluten-free pasta. Vegetarians like us because we make everything to order, and we have great salad options. What do you cook at home? RF: Day to day, we cook simple food that’s

real. But on special occasions, we go all out. This past New Year’s Eve, we had friends and family over and made a sweetbread pasta. It blew everyone away, and our guests practically fell over because it was so good. This isn’t the kind of dish that you’d normally serve at home because it’s super decadent. Not only that, most people don’t like the thought of eating thyroid glands [laughs]. However, if you give guests enough wine and force the dish upon them, they tend to become more adventurous. In 2013, PIE Barrie was featured on the Food Network’s “You Gotta Eat Here,” hosted by John Catucci. What was it like? RF: It was awesome, overwhelming and beyond crazy. To this day, we still have out-of-town visitors eating at PIE because they remember us from the show. Does PIE offer any specials? RF: After 8 pm, we run a special where you get a free pizza when you order a 32 oz draft beer. It’s available at all PIE locations.

What does the future hold for PIE? RF: Our goal is to keep having fun while putting out a consistent, high quality product. More locations are also on our radar. GL: Any final words? RF: Thanks for the warm welcome Collingwood! Your town is full of very nice people and I think we are going to be friends [smiles].

PIE LOCATIONS | www.eatmypie.ca Collingwood 499 First Street | 705-293-3900 Barrie - South Pie 34 Commerce Park Drive | 705-725-WOOD (9663) Barrie - Beachfront Pie 11 Victoria Street | 705-728-7952 Pickering - Pie 1550 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario 905-492-9393 Every Location Open at 11:30 a.m., 364 days a year

POTATO GNOCCHI WITH PARMESAN AND PARSLEY This delicious recipe is courtesy of chef Randy Feltis of PIE Wood-Fired Pizza Joint. Preparation time: 60 min Serves 6-8 Tools (baking trays, food mill, mixing bowl) 6 medium Yukon gold potatoes 3 large eggs, beaten 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1 Tbsp salt 1 Tbsp pepper 1 tsp nutmeg 1 litre all-purpose flour (sifted) 1/4 cup butter grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for topping Chopped fresh parsley

38 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

PREPARATION: 1. Roast potatoes on baking sheet in a 350F oven until tender, remove and cool. Cut potatoes in half, remove insides and process through a food mill or ricer and place into a mixing bowl. 2. Add eggs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Next, softly add half the flour and gently knead the dough. Slowly add the other half to make a firm dough ball. Let rest for 10 minutes. Divide the dough into 1-inch snakes and cut into nubs. Dust and let rest on baking trays. 3. Bring a large pot with water to a boil. Once the water boils, add the salt. Then turn the heat down to bring the water to a gentle simmer. Poach the gnocchi in several batches. Once the gnocchi floats and comes to the surface of the water (takes about less than 2 minutes), immediately scoop it out of the water with a slotted/ perforated spoon and place it in another baking sheet to prevent it from sticking together. 4. On low heat, melt 1/2 cup butter in a skillet and add the cooked gnocchi. Pan-fry the gnocchi for about 8 minutes in the hot butter until slightly browned and crisp. Transfer into a serving dish and sprinkle with a generous amount of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and chopped parsley.

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drink|spring wines

BY GORD STIMMELL

LATEST GREATEST TOP VALUES

Sip a taste of

SPRING

We are all dreaming of spring. The first yellow daffodil, shy violet crocuses peeking from the earth, lime green buds on tree limbs signalling a reawakening of life. In Ontario, however, sometimes you need the patience of Job. The cold Great Lakes hold back the heat, and snowstorms can still come knocking. Which brings us to spring wines. With nature in bloom, you might think floral accented white wines like muscat, viognier and gewürztraminer. But I know few who adore this wine style.

Beaulieu Vineyards Coastal 2013 Sauvignon Blanc $10.95 (California)

Our two pricebeater whites – a sauvignon blanc and a chardonnay – nestle in the $10 zone. I am envisioning the first front porch or back deck gathering of friends and a plate of cheese, pate and breads. A first celebration of winter survival. For reds, we start with Gnarly Head Pinot Noir. Considering that most pinot noirs worth their salt are more than $20, this is a steal. The style of pinot noirs is slightly lighter than big bold cabernets. They are ideal with mushroom dishes, like risotto, but also with white meats, such as pork medallions or veal chops. And with spring, we cannot

help but think barbecue. The beast is still there; the mounds of snow finally melted off it, and it’s time to fire it up and test it with seriously seared meats. We have two perfect barbecue reds. The newcomer Carnivor blends cabernet sauvignon with some merlot and is big in style. Ribs slathered with spicy hot sauce spring to mind with this mellow gusher. The Red Knot shows a bit more finesse and is ideal with butterflied leg of lamb on the grill or any kind of thick juicy steak. Even without food, these wines will put a spring in your step. Enjoy!

Argento 2013 Chardonnay $9.95 (Argentina)

Gnarly Head 2012 Pinot Noir $14.95 (California)

Carnivor 2013 Cabernet $16.95 (California)

Great party starter white! Aromas of fruit salad, melon, pineapple and yellow apple with lemon-lime flavours hinting of ripe apple ending with a crisp citrus finish.

Fabulous value! Smoky nutty apple, charred oak and poached pear aromas and flavours of yellow apple, lime, lemon and a hint of grapefruit. Light oak keeps it zesty.

Smoke, blueberry, blackberry and beetroot in the aromas, with smoky black cherry, strawberry and dried dates in a mellow, super smooth delivery. LCBO #358911

This red is a new, very bold and dense newcomer with rich vanilla, plum and smoky blackberry aromas and lush mellow black cherry and vanilla bean flavours. Delicious!

LCBO #295253

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Food suggestion: Shrimp or crab dishes.

Food suggestion: Chicken or turkey.

Food suggestion: Clove studded baked ham.

Rating: 90 Food suggestion: Steaks or kebabs.

Food suggestion: Rib roast, lamb.

40 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

Red Knot 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon $17.95 (Australia) Lavish plum, black cherry and cedar scents with a gush of vanilla-laced black cherry and blueberry pie delivered in a round plump manner.

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42 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 â&#x2013;

feature|Sunday brunch

ENJOYING

SUNDAY

BRUNCH best brunch recipes

By Katherine Elphick Photography by Ellie Kistemaker

imcoe County is home to plenty of delicious brunch options. From à la carte creamy Eggs Benedict to bountiful buffets featuring anything from omelettes and indulgent French toast to carved roast beef and a full array of salads and sweets, there’s something for every palette, every craving. Here is a sampling of some of the region’s tastiest brunch spots.

RUM AND VANILLA BREAD PUDDING

RECIPE ON PAGE 45

Rather prepare brunch in your own kitchen? The following featured venues share some of their favourite brunch recipes to prepare at home. GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 43

feature|Sunday brunch

very weekend, the Nottawasaga Resort serves up a Sunday brunch featuring a gourmet selection of breakfast favourites. The market fresh Sunday brunch buffet features made to order omelettes, fresh Belgium waffles or crepes, assorted fresh salads, an exceptional selection of hot items, freshly baked cakes, pastries and pies. Sunday brunch is served in the newly renovated Riverview Room overlooking the perfectly manicured grounds of the golf course surrounding the Nottawasaga Valley. “The renovation of the Riverview Room has been quite a transformation,” says Leslie Foerster of the marketing department. “By using a mixture of contemporary and natural materials, we have been able to incorporate the breathtaking outdoor scenery indoors making you feel as if there is nothing between you and the beautiful natural surroundings.” Brunch runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reservations are not required for a typical Sunday, however, are highly recommended for Father’s Day and are required for Mother’s Day. “We’re a highly sought after destination for both moms and dads who want an effortless alternative to breakfast in bed,” says Foerster with a smile.

Soft Poached Eggs, Peruvian Potato & Smoked Meat Hash ~Nottawasaga Resort & Conference Centre~

SOFT POACHED EGGS, PERUVIAN POTATO & SMOKED MEAT HASH (topped with a Canadian Swiss cheese cream)

This delightful brunch dish is courtesy of Nottawasaga Resort’s executive chef Paul Dills.

“

We’re a highly sought after destination for both moms and dads who want an effortless alternative to breakfast in bed”

For the Hash Cakes:

PREPARATION

1/4 pound (113 grams) purple Peruvian potatoes (new red skins potatoes will also work)

1. Hash Cakes: Boil the potatoes in salted water until cooked through (10-15 minutes). Once cooked, place into an ice bath to stop them cooking and set aside. Take the sliced smoked meat and julienne into fine ribbons and set aside. On a bias, julienne the green onions and set aside. Place the potatoes, smoked meat and green onions into a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic and eggs and season with salt and pepper. Combine all hash cake ingredients together (mixture should be wet). Form the mixture into 4 equal patties and sauté in a nonstick fry pan for 2 to 3 minutes a side until golden brown.

1/4 pound (113 grams) Montreal smoked meat, thinly sliced 1/4 cup fresh green onions 2 tsp fresh garlic, minced 2 large eggs To taste, salt and pepper For the Canadian Swiss Cheese Cream: 1 shallot, minced 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tsp fresh garlic, minced 1/4 cup white wine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups 35% whipping cream (for a lighter version use 2% milk or even skim milk) 1 cup Canadian Swiss cheese To taste, salt and pepper For the Poached Eggs: 4 cups water 2 Tbsp white vinegar 4 large eggs

44 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

2. For the Canadian Swiss Cream: In a medium sized sauce pan, sauté the shallots in the oil until translucent. Add garlic, wine and bring to a boil. Whisk in flour to the boiling liquid to a make a roux, reduce heat to avoid burning the roux. Season with salt and pepper and add cream. Bring the liquid to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer for 5 minutes. Once the sauce has come together, add the cheese and whisk until completely melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. For the Poached Eggs: Add vinegar to the water and bring to a low simmer in a shallow walled sauté pan. Using a spoon, create a current in the water (this helps the eggs take a nice round form). Add one egg at a time and poach for 2-1/2 minutes, remove from water once cooked. 4. Assembling the dish: Place one hash cake on the bottom of the plate. Place one poached egg on top of the cake. Spoon cheese sauce over the egg and let it flow down the cake. Garnish with fresh green onions and fresh fruit on the side. {Serves 4}

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Rum and Vanilla Bread Pudding ~Barrie Country Club~ During the winter months, the Barrie Country Club’s Sunday brunches are open to the public until Sunday, March 29. Enjoy a delicious brunch buffet featuring a chef carving station, omelet and waffle station, as well as selections from turkey, beef, chicken, fresh fish, seafood, vegetables, various salads and a decadent dessert table. Reservations are recommended with seating times at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.,12 p.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.

This delicious recipe is courtesy of the Barrie Country Club’s executive chef Winston Barrett and executive sous chef Cheryl Monk.

RUM AND VANILLA BREAD PUDDING Materials:

16-inch glass casserole dish, 20-inch glass casserole dish, large whisk, large mixing bowl, large kitchen knife, measuring spoons, large kitchen pot. 2 loaves white bread (you can substitute raisin bread or croissants) 2 litres 2% milk 1 can evaporated milk (or 1-1/2 cups of 35% cream) 1/2 cup dark rum 1/2 cup sherry 1 tsp nutmeg 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 cups granulated white sugar 1/2 tsp salt 5 eggs 1 cup raisins

PREPARATION: 1. On the day before baking, cut bread into 2-cm cubes. Lay the cubes flat on baking sheet and allow to dry for at least 24 hours. 2. Heat oven to 350F. With butter, grease a 16-inch glass casserole dish. Heat milk and cream or evaporated milk, rum, sherry, nutmeg, vanilla, sugar and salt in pot whisking frequently until reaching a light boil. Reduce heat and continue whisking frequently. 3. Crack eggs into another mixing bowl. Pour milk mixture slowly into eggs while whisking fast, as to not cook the eggs. 4. Pour cubed bread into a separate large mixing bowl. Add milk and egg mixture and raisins, lightly stir until all bread is covered in mixture. Transfer bread mixture into the smaller 16-inch greased casserole dish. Add enough water into larger casserole dish to create a water bath for smaller casserole dish to fit inside of. 5. Place in preheated oven and cook for 45 minutes. Before taking out of oven, use a toothpick and prick the centre of the bread pudding. If toothpick is dry, the bread pudding is done and can be removed from oven. If still moist, continue cooking for another 8 to 10 minutes and recheck with toothpick. 6. Allow to cool for at lease 20 minutes before cutting and serving. It can be served with your choice of fresh berries, caramel sauce or icing sugar. {Serves 8 to 12} »

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feature|Sunday brunch

The B.E.L.T. CH ~Bistro 26~

Located next to the Edenvale Aerodrome, Bistro 26 offers an à la carte breakfast and brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Menu items range from fluffy pancakes and frittatas (served until noon) to a classic bacon and eggs breakfast. “We have a large variety on our menu to satisfy all appetites,” says owner Katherine Kroupa. “While enjoying brunch, diners can also enjoy the airplane activity next door.” On holidays such as Mother’s Day and Easter, Bistro 26 offers a special buffet. Reservations are only necessary on special holidays.

THE B.E.L.T.CH (Bacon, eggs, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese and chipotle mayo on multigrain toast) This breakfast favourite is one of the bestselling menu items at Bistro 26. 4 slices of bacon 1 Tbsp mayonnaise Chipotle seasoning, to taste 1 Tbsp butter 2 large eggs 2 slices of cheddar cheese 2 slices of multigrain bread, toasted and hot 4 tomato slices 2 leaves lettuce

PREPARATION: 1. In a skillet, cook the bacon over moderate heat, turning, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. 2. Mix together chipotle seasoning and mayonnaise. Spread the mayo mixture on both pieces of multigrain toast. 3. In a small, nonstick skillet, melt the butter. Add the eggs and fry over moderate heat, turning once, until crisp around the edge, about 4 minutes; the yolk should still be runny. Meanwhile, while you are cooking your eggs, toast the bread and spread the mayo mixture on both slices. 4. You are now ready to begin building your B.E.L.T.CH. Add the ingredients as follows: lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, two eggs over easy and lastly the bacon. Enjoy! {Makes 1 sandwich}

46 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

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portfolio|Judy Shield

It takes a community to raise an artist

BY ERIKA ENGEL

O ARTIST IS AN ISLAND. At least according to Judy Shield, coordinator of the Meaford

Creative Arts Association. “Part of being in a group is you learn every time you go,” said the Thornbury-based artist. “You can learn from other artists and even other people looking at (your art), and everybody sees things a little differently.” Shield has spent her art career involved in local artists groups from Stratford to British Columbia to Meaford. She showed an early affinity for art, filling every blank page she could find at age four with original artwork. At 10 years old, her parents enrolled her in art classes at the YMCA/ YWCA. Shield attended those classes – taught by Margaret Lewis – every Saturday morning for five years. “We learned every medium you can imagine,” said Shield. “It was a great basis for me.” Later, Shield took more courses through night school and correspondence. She’s been a full-time artist since 1993. She also worked 48 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

in drafting and design and has been teaching art for 36 years. She’s been painting in her Thornbury home studio for eight years. “If you come into my house, you know an artist lives here; every room is full,” said Shield with a laugh. She is, for the most part, a realist painter. She painted with oils for 30 years, but developed an allergy to turpentine and switched to acrylic and water colour. At about 350 paintings (sometimes more) a year, Shield has never had a problem coming up with an idea for subject matter and is currently working on a series of cats. “I just love to paint,” she said. “One thing about doing art is you go into a space of creativity where all the rest of the problems of the world are not there. Your brain switches to the creative side and you don’t think about doing dishes or the war in wherever it is this time.” As if painting 350 canvasses a year isn’t enough, Shield makes jewelry, cards, paper weights and pet rocks. She also teaches work-

shops for the Meaford Creative Arts Association (MCAA) group at Meaford Hall. She brings in other artists as well and works with the group to plan regular group shows. Aside from the permanent display of MCAA paintings in the Terrace Room at Meaford Hall, there will be a six-week MCAA art show at Meaford Hall this October and November. Once a month, the group offers its members a critique for the stubborn paintings they can’t seem to finish. Other weeks, they just paint together on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Everybody is working on a different subject,” said Shield. “ One of the advantages of getting together as a group is you can express your ideas and help if you see someone struggling. Some artists are just starting and some are more experienced. Often the more experienced can help those struggling.” The group also offers a chance for artists to socialize with others who share interests. Aside from shows, the artists have also collaborated for a special project at Meaford Hospital. The hospital auxiliary collects $100 donations for ceiling tiles and the artists of the MCAA paint the tiles with vibrant scenes to be installed in the hospital ceilings upon completion. The group has painted 130 ceiling tiles; so many they are now being installed on the hospital walls. Sheild has one daughter and three grandchildren who receive regular art lessons from Grandma. For more on the Meaford Creative Arts Association or Judy Shield, visit www.judyshield.com.

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Wel ome to a taste e perien e you will never forget! GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 49

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feature|outdoor chores

Spring. Has. Arrived. Carson Arthur When not in the dirt with his ecofriendly landscape design company, Carson stays busy building, planting, writing or designing as a featured guest on CityLine. His new show Critical Listing is currently airing on HGTV Canada. You can check him out at carsonarthur.com

Photos by Bob Gundu | Photos courtesy of MicroPro Sienna

52 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

hose are possibly the three most magical words to any resident of Ontario, where winter isn’t simply a season; it’s a test of patience. Warmer days mean escaping the confines of your home and discovering the outdoors again, without the fear of frostbite. And finally, when the time comes to pull out those deck chairs and dust off the barbeque cover, the last thing we want to do is think about the outdoor chores that accompany the warmer weather. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as no-maintenance gardening, and often pushing our outdoor chores to the bottom of our ‘to-do’ list makes them seem more and more daunting and unmanageable. Well guess what? They don’t need to be! Through ‘smart gardening’ you can create a lowmaintenance green space that allows you to spend less time caring for your backyard and more time enjoying it! »

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feature|outdoor chores

TOP

FTIIVPSE

our for reducing y s outdoor chnogre. this spri

12 DO A LITTLE EACH DAY

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS

Remember to treat your outdoor space like your household – regular maintenance is key. The best way to tackle this problem without overwhelming your schedule is by doing a little at a time, but doing it more often. Make the time and take five or 10 minutes each day to spend in your garden, whether it be a way to mentally prepare yourself for the season ahead, or just a way to unwind at the end of a long day accompanied by a glass of wine.

Take the time and extra care to make sure your equipment is clean and honed. Just like your kitchen knives, the blades on your gardening equipment work best when they are sharp. Sharp pruners and mowers will only make your life easier, and maintaining these tools will save you time and money in the long run. They’ll make a cleaner cut and they are safer to use. I also recommend using a steel brush to clean equipment after use and treat handles with linseed oil to keep them from drying out.

345 PICK THE RIGHT MATERIALS

GET STRATEGIC WITH YOUR VEGETATION

Picking the right products is essential to maximizing the longevity and value of your outdoor space. But with so many new products entering the market, choosing the right one can be tricky, especially when it comes to wood. You want durable treated wood that will last year upon year without decay but is also affordable. Personally, I use a pressure-treated wood called MicroPro Sienna that looks like cedar but is only a fraction of the cost. Plus, its treatment process gives it a beautiful, rich brown shade that doesn’t lose its luster, so I don’t need to re-stain it every spring and it’s rot-resistant. This leaves more time to spend on my deck entertaining, rather than maintaining!

Some beautiful plants are a lot more high-maintenance than others. You may like the look of annuals or hybrid perennials, but you may be spending a lot more time watering and caring for them and less time enjoying. Instead, choose a few small trees or even shrubs to take their place in your garden – they often require less fertilizing and watering and overall less hassle! Another way to get strategic it to choose plants that are native to your region. Not only will they require less maintenance, but they will be more resistant to disease, allowing you to maximize the longevity of your green space with as little work as possible. Sounds good to me!

54 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

USE COLOURFUL PLANTERS INSTEAD OF COLOURFUL PLANTS

Everyone wants a bit of colour in the backyard, but plants that flower usually require significantly more attention and care than plants that don’t. Another obstacle with plants is that most perennials and several annuals only bloom for a few weeks. If you’re looking for purples, pinks or blues to adorn your green space, choose a container that already has those colours and fill it with lush ferns or rich grasses. Plus, planters have versatility– you can place these ‘mini-gardens’ virtually anywhere, be it on your balcony, pergola or patio, allowing you to change up the design aesthetic of your backyard in a moment’s notice.

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THE ONTARIO SALSA TOUR JUNE 19-21 BLUE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE 56 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

Vegas Tribute to the greatest stars. The show at Meaford Hall on Friday, April 10 at 8 p.m. includes tributes to over 30 singing legends hosted by “Jack Nicholson”, “Dean Martin” and “Ed Sullivan” and backed by a live band. Presented by Celsk Benefit Promotions, tickets are $31.50. meafordhall.ca

Pop legends in concert. Pop/rock musicians Marc Jordan and Amy Sky are on the stage at Meaford Hall on Friday, May 1 at 8 p.m. Awardwinning national music treasures whose songs have been performed by Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, Reba McEntire, Diana Ross, Olivia Newton-John among others. Tickets are $50. marcjordan.com, amysky.com, meafordhall.ca

Tower of Song A Leonard Cohen tribute on Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m., at Meaford Hall. BC singersongwriters Oliver Swain and

Glenna Garramore collaborated to produce a project that is a dialogue through song and a tribute to the legendary songwriter. Reimagining both rare and classic works of Cohen, the duo has crafted a sound that resonates with both long-time Cohen fans and a younger audience. Together as Tower of Song, the two have arranged some of Cohen’s timeless songs. Tickets for this show are $30. towerofsongmusic.com ,meafordhall.ca

Summer farmer’s market The Meaford Farmers’ Market kicks off on Friday, June 5 from 3 to 7 p.m. The market features the best of local high-quality produce from our farmers, artisans, food artisans.

Musicians, a toys and crafts table for children as well as an area for learning interest, music and entertainment. The Farmer’s Market is held every Friday during the sum-

mer at the Meaford Rotary Harbour Pavilion. info@meafordfarmersmarket.ca. meafordfarmersmarket.ca

Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Night On March 28 at the Wasaga RecPlex, 1724 Mosley St. at 7 p.m. For more information and tickets, call Kelly Rivers at 705-331-0787

Are your dentures… ❑ Loose? ❑ Cracked or worn? ❑ Over 5 years old? ❑ Missing teeth? ❑ Sore Gums? ❑ In your pocket?

Stayner Kinsmen Duck Race On Saturday, May 2 at Kinsmen Park, 7 a.m. until mid-afternoon. Pancake breakfast, barbecue, live entertainment. Duck race at 1 p.m., followed by corporate duck race. Tickets $5; $25 to enter a corporate duck. staynerkinsmen.ca

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Electric Elements Electronic music festival on Sunday, May 17, featuring DVBBS, Fedde LeGrand, and Hunter Siegel. Playland parking lot at the main beach. Tickets – $79.99. electricelementsfestival.com

Wasaga Beach Denture Clinic Carlos Melgarejo DD o se a s sin ome isits and mp ant ent es ai ab e. 0 0 i e d. est . asa a ea h

Springlicious. Beginning Tuesday, April 7, it’s the most delicious time of the year – Springlicious returns to Blue Mountain Village running Sundays through Thursday only until May 14. It’s a dining tour de force at prices you cannot afford to ignore.For complete details, visit bluemountainvillage.ca/springlicious

Grey County Road Race. The Grey County Road Race (May 24th) and the Grey County Time Trial (May 22nd) are the only North American qualifier events in the UCI World Cycling Tour. Races start at Blue Mountain Village. greycountyroadrace.com

British Car Show. See what’s under the bonnets as the local British car club rolls into Blue Mountain Village on May 30 for an afternoon of automobile history and appreciation. Enjoy live music and the many village patios. gbbcc.com

www.wasagabeachdentureclinic.ca

C S OM

ARD OOD LOOR

CAR G OR O R ORD R ROM LOG O S D PROD C . DROP O AR LO R A S B S PR S PR C S S AR AS LO AS

D G

PR C S O M LL G LO G L G S D RABL S S C S OM S A S

Met Con Blue. It’s going to get muddy. Join the hundreds of thrill seekers at Blue Mountain Village for this intense five or 10-kilometre adventure race through obstacles and over Blue Mountain. metconrace.com.

Art Battle Collingwood. A night of live competitive painting at the Eddy Bush Memorial Arena. Artists compete in three 20-minute rounds on May 23 from 7 to 11 p.m. Spectators vote the winner of each round. Tickets are $25 per person. andrearinaldo@hotmail.com

Located in Alliston ehind ehrs and Dairy

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ueen

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 57

Jazzmania 2015 April 24 -26 Thornbury, The Blue mountains

Earth Day at the museum Visit the Simcoe County Museum for staff led hikes and activities. Enjoy the exhibits, learn about the Earth, and discover ways you can be a good steward. Activities from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. Fee is $6. Contact the museum at 705-728-3721 or by email at museum@simcoe.ca. Museum.simcoe.ca

Wheels and Tracks in Motion: Historical Construction Equipment Event Historical Construction Equipment Association of Canada and the Simcoe County Museum present Wheels and Tracks in Motion at the Simcoe County Museum on June 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the museum to browse through the vintage construction equipment, tractors, classic trunks and other historic pieces set up on the museum grounds. Take a wagon ride out to the gravel pits to see live demonstrations of steam-powered rollers, vintage road building equipment, rock

Baco Noir A new play by Dan Needles, presented by Theatre Collingwood. Performances at 8 p.m. from May 26 to 30 with a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 27. The play brings audiences back to Persephone Township, where Bruce Bern has a dream of growing grapes and making wine, but the climate is awful and the bank is calling about his line of credit. Oscar, Bruce’s neighbor, has a supernatural theory about why the wine tastes so bad. Shows are on stage at the Gayety Theatre in Collingwood. theatrecollingwood.ca.

58 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

The Mays Plays See four plays written by local budding playwrights, directed by veteran director Steven Thomas and performed by local volunteer actors. The four plays are the result of the Page to Stage Playwrighting Workshop with Dan Needles. The show starts at 8 p.m. on May 16 at the Simcoe Street Studio Theatre, 65 Simcoe St., Collingwood  gaslighttheatreproductions.com

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Jewel Box crushing, grading, hoisting and more. There are hands-on, up-close experiences for the whole family. Admission is $6. For more, contact the museum at 705-728-3721 or by email at museum@simcoe.ca. Museum.simcoe.ca

Jazzmania 2015 Jazz returns to The Blue Mountains for the three-day Jazzmania event. The celebration features jazz, swing, blues and big band with lots of dancing to go with it. The music starts Friday, April 24 with an evening show by the Howling Dog Vintage Jazz Band (tickets $20). On Saturday, April 25 there’s an afternoon show by the Toronto All Star Band, Georgian Sound Big Band and the Hogtown Swing Dancers (tickets are $30). Sunday, April 26 will feature a live performance by Chuck Jackson and Tyler Yarema. For ticket information and a schedule, visit the website or contact Linda at info@jazzmania.ca. jazzmania.ca

Studio Tour of the Arts Artists of The Blue Mountains open their studios to you this Victoria Day Weekend for a free, self-guided tour through the area. Follow the map on the website, and enjoy a large selection of original art ranging from pottery, jewelry, paintings, photography, sculpture and textile arts. www.tourofthearts.ca

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Muy Caliente! The Ontario Salsa tour will be returning to Blue Mountain for its seventh year for Salsa at Blue from June 19 to 21 for the weekend! The free family street party will transform the village into a showcase of Latin life with pulsating music, passionate dancing and lessons, fiery foods, kids activities, sizzling night life and fireworks. For complete details visit the website. Email: info@bluemountainvillage.ca bluemountainvillage.ca/salsa

Kim Mitchell live in concert Canadian rock legend Kim Mitchell is coming to Blue Mountain Village for a live concert. Collingwood musician Austin McCarthy will open the show on Sunday, May 17. Tickets are $20 for this licensed, 19-plus event. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Bluemountainvillage.ca

All the freedom, none of the chores Isn’t this what retirement should be about? Enjoying the activities you want rather than worrying about snow-shovelling, yard work and the leaky roof? Let us take care of the maintenance and housekeeping – even the cooking if you’d like – while you do the things you want to do. After all, you’ve earned it!

Call Lorree at 705-429-8626 to book a tour and discover the freedom a Waterside lifestyle can offer. 239 Zoo Park Rd, Wasaga Beach www.jarlette.com

Making Waves in Retirement Living! GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 59

Travel|Barbados

Island photo Barbados Tourism

in the sun

I reminisce of the year 1964, when a 17-year-old Bart Card is spending a year at sea on The Ocean Monarch – a cruise ship that sailed between Bermuda and New York for part of the year with Caribbean cruises in-between.

60 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

BY BART CARD

t is on this ship that I savour my first taste of Barbados. It is a wonderful feeling sailing up to the island. With the sun blazing and an alluring sea, she appears to move closer to us, a small speck gaining form and monument. As I race from The Ocean Monarch, the port is filled with excitement and I’m off to explore Barbados, an island that will soon introduce me to the pleasures of Flying Fish, hot sauce and bowls of rice and peas. It is also home to my future wife. Flash forward and yes, Bart Card is a little older, wiser and returning to a Barbados very

similar to my original visit. With the excitement of a young boy, I can’t wait to slip into a pair of shorts, slide on a pair of Topsiders and jump in to my “moke” and be off exploring. But first I must share a family history lesson. My wife, Sarah Jane, calls Barbados home. Her grandfather, a colonial surgeon from Barbados, was posted to the Falkland Islands after the First World War where his youngest of 10 – my future mother-in-law – was born. He returned home to Barbados from the Falklands with his expanded family. We try as often as possible to return to Sarah Jane’s homeland for a visit.

photo courtesy of Southern Palms

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Barbados is a land of remarkable contrasts – from its craggy northern coastline to vast meadows of golden sugar cane and serene turquoise Caribbean coastline – all on an island only 21 miles long and 14 miles wide.”

photo Bart Card

photo Barbados Tourism

On each occasion, it’s first down to Oistens – a daytime fish market that features the catch of the day from the host of boats arriving. A quick purchase and we’re off to Bathsheba on the east coast, home of miles of untouched beach along the island’s wildest, hilly and beautiful stretch of coast. It’s the Atlantic in all its glory. However, we are not there for the surf, but to barbecue fish on the beach. Of course, this isn’t the normal thing to do for a tourist, but I don’t consider myself a tourist while in Barbados. As an aside, Oistens fish market is also a lively stop for a late-night snack of freshly caught local fish cooked right there on the side of the road. Barbados is a land of remarkable contrasts – from its craggy northern coastline to vast meadows of golden sugar cane and serene turquoise Caribbean coastline – all on an island only 21 miles long and 14 miles wide. The easternmost island of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles, Barbados boasts a unique range of natural and historic attractions, from stunning plantation “great houses” that reflect a bygone era of the island’s first settlers, to vast caves filled with prehistoric formations.

Visitors can explore an island rich in culture and heritage from the late 1600s, viewing the plantations of St. Nicholas Abbey and Lancaster Great House House. GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 61

Travel|Barbados

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The island is also known for its distinctive contrasting coastlines; the spectacular west coast beaches line the crystal Caribbean waters, while the rugged east coast is a breathtaking stretch ideal for surfing and watersports. Seafaring tours aboard historic ships, submarines, private sailboats and chartered yachts are savoured on both shores. Daytime in Barbados illuminates the flowering vegetation, abundant underwater sea life and other natural wonders. Because Barbados lies partially on the Atlantic and the Caribbean, the landscape and coastline of the island are diverse. Vacationers can’t help but gaze and sniff at the spectacular tropical flowers, although it is the Andromeda Gardens and the Flower Forest Botanical Gardens that showcase more specifically the island’s rich botanical blossoms. Both of these tropical habitats, located in St. Joseph and open throughout the day, serve a small myriad of purposes: perfect for a leisurely stroll or an idyllic setting for a wedding ceremony. Visitors can explore an island rich in cul62 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

ture and heritage from the late 1600s, viewing the plantations of St. Nicholas Abbey and Lancaster Great House House. Lancaster Great House is an historic Barbadian plantation residence on more than two acres of land amid mature mahogany and fruit trees and beautiful gardens; full of colonial charm and now filled with John and Rain Chandler’s antiques, paintings and objects d’art. Famous for their magnificent Thursday and Sunday lunch buffet, traditional West Indian dishes are surrounded by magnificent floral displays with nostalgic music in the background. The Barbados Wildlife Reserve, a favourite with my children, is an ideal place to see the famous Barbados Green Monkey, as well as mongoose, peacock, tortoise, porcupine and iguana. Another way to explore Barbados is on a Highland Outdoor Tour – featuring equestrian, walking or tractor-drawn jitney travels through stunning scenery. A trip to the Animal Flower Cave is also recommended, permitting an excursion that

ventures to the most northerly point of Barbados at the very tip of the island. The cave takes its name from the sea anemones found in its pools, which were first called ‘Animal Flowers’ back in 1750 by Griffin Hughes in his book, The Natural History of Barbados. I have always appreciated a love of deep-sea fishing, heading out to sea at 4:30 a.m. with my friend David Marriott, leaving the harbour with the outriggers in position and witnessing another outstanding Barbados sunrise. At sea, the bright blue water is paradise. On one visit, I recall a 45-minute struggle before finally reeling in a barracuda that had tired both of us to no end. Yes, I had won the battle but I quickly released my prize back to the sea. That was several years ago, and on my return, I thought about that barracuda and wondered if he had grown smarter as a result of our combat, or cocky, doomed to flounder during another match with a hungrier fisherman. If fishing, however, isn’t for you, ride the Atlantis Submarine, a submersible vessel that

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dives down 150 feet and explores the wrecks and reefs of the Caribbean. Atlantis offers both day and night dives that allows passengers to view spectacular tropical fish, turtles and marine vegetation. Despite its 50 years of independence from Great Britain, Barbados still enjoys a delightful British atmosphere. A statue of Admiral Nelson graces Bridgetown’s Trafalgar Square and afternoon tea remains a custom for many hotels on the West Coast Caribbean shores, including St. James parish, one of 11 on the island. The infrastructure of the island is technologically advanced, with sophisticated business operations allowing for conventions and meetings to flourish at a host of internationally acclaimed resort hotels. Barbados has an unbeatable range of accommodations, from elegant resorts to intimate guesthouses. Dining in Barbados is a feast for all senses, from fabled folk recipes for Flying Fish (a culinary national treasure) to gourmet experiences that rival the world’s finest. One of my favourite pastimes in Barbados is to drive around the island searching for construction, for that’s where to find locals selling some terrific homemade food, often from the back of a van. Dabbed in hot sauce, fish cakes are a mid-morning treat. In Canada, I suppose, people might drive up to a Tim Hortons for a coffee and donut instead. Culinary delights are endless in Barbados, and aside from Flying Fish, you can sample delicacies such as cou-cou (a cornmeal and okra dish), pepperpot (a spicy stew), and jug-jug (a mixture of Guinea corn and green peas). Any evening out can be complemented with live entertainment, as Barbados is alive with calypso, limbo and stilt dancing. Diverse sightseeing options feature a wide array of natural attractions, abundant sporting choices, world-class shopping and lively nightlife. With all this, and its temperate year-round climate of sunshine and warm breezes, it is clear how Barbados has remained one of the Caribbean’s most revisited destinations. But Barbados is also noted for its single greatest natural resource: its people. A mixed population of some 285,000 inhabitants, Barbadians (also known as Bajans) are friendly, warm, and hospitable individuals, some British, but most of West African descent. Barbados enjoys a 98-per-cent literacy rate, and a very high percentage of the island’s youth »

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photo Barbados Tourism

photo Bart Card

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A visit to Barbados, whether it’s a leisurely sojourn or a corporate convention, is always an adventure.”

photo Bart Card

Bart Card is a food and travel writer. (905) 251-1258 or bartcard@rogers.com Southern Palms Beach Club www.southernpalms.net Lancaster Great House www.barbadosbarbados.com/lancaster-greathouse-barbados-john-rain-chandler.cfm 64 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

attains a college or university education. Proud of their island, Bajans are always willing to share a rich cultural heritage and provide insights of favourite local attractions, proving that unbeatable finds can easily be discovered off the beaten track. One of the first shops I visit is the Women’s Self Help in Bridgetown, Barbados’ capital. Established by “Gentile” women at the turn of the 20th century and now moved to a more modern shopping centre. They have fabulous homemade jams, guava jelly, hot sauces, pepper wine and my family’s all-time favourite candy, Tamarind Balls. Old jewelry and homemade crafts are also available. My wife’s great-grandmother was a loyal customer. A visit to Barbados, whether it’s a leisurely sojourn or a corporate convention, is always an adventure – civilized yet casual, refined yet racy.

An island that gracefully combines progress and tradition, Barbados is always a pleasure to revisit and rediscover, just like I do as often as possible. I must admit, on the last few visits, I have noticed many expensive houses under construction. I guess it just shows that I’m not the only one who appreciates the qualities this beautiful island has to offer. As I relax usually on the beach of Southern Palms Beach Club, which is my family’s favourite place to stay and where I watched my children grow, I remembered that 17-year-old boy who darted from The Ocean Monarch in 1964 and raced ashore to examine Barbados for the first time. I no longer work in the sweltering heat of an engine room aboard a cruise ship, but my love for fish cakes and Miss Lottie’s hot sauce certainly remain.

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in the crowd

BY ERIKA ENGEL

Rockin’ the House breaks barriers for accessibility organization

Breaking Down Barriers hosted its ninth-annual Rockin’ the House charity curling bonspiel Feb. 21 in Collingwood and grossed more than $19,500 to fund programming. Kellie Leitch, MP for Simcoe-Grey, stopped by to congratulate Breaking Down Barriers on 30 years in the community and nine running the bonspiel event. “What you’re doing is outstanding,” said Leitch. Collingwood Deputy Mayor Brian Saunderson also commended the organization on a well-run event and good work in the community. “Truly it’s an inspiration to us all,” he said. “We have great facilities, but unless they are accessible to all, we’re not doing our jobs.” Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith is a long time supporter of the bonspiel and the organization. “Here’s to another 30 years of doing great work,” he said. The prize for top fundraiser went to Derek Bowers of the Wasaga Rockers, who raised $1,060 in pledges, and locked in his team as the top fundraising team for the bonspiel as well. Best costume went to the foursome in tie-dye shirts and best team name by a landslide was Zack, Jack, Frick and Frack. The Special Olympics team received an honourable mention for its $650 raised.

The event saw 18 teams playing in two six-end games each. Since 1985, Breaking Down Barriers has provided programs and services to promote the independence of people with disabilities in the Georgian Triangle.

4. 66 | GoodLife Georgian Bay | Spring 2015 ■

Janet Currie, Mallory Crew, Laura Crew and Heather McInnes made up the Collins Barrow rink at the Breaking Down Barriers Rockin’ the House bonspiel on Saturday, Feb. 21. Breaking Town Barriers team members Brittney Thompson (volunteer), Heather Draper (board member) and Elain Kelly (staff) at the Rockin’ the House charity bonspiel. Harry VanderKuylen and Case Roest showed some Dutch pride at the Breaking Down Barriers bonspiel. Their all-Dutch team won third for the first draw in the bonspiel. Jack Merwin, skip for the Zack, Jack, Frick and Frack rink and Rob Helpburn, skip for the Tie

Dye rink get in their last game of the day at the Rockin’ the House bonspiel Feb. 21. 5.

Nick Smith, skip for the CC Tatham rink, and Tom Nollert, skip for the Ainley rink, square off for the final game at the Rockin’ the House bonspiel in Collingwood.

The winning rink for the first draw were the Toyota Forerunners. From left, Paul Brittain, Dan Crab, Al Gibson, and Rob Hogg.

Andrea Kokosin, executive director of Breaking Down Barriers, and the bonspiel emcee seven years running, Kathy Jeffery.

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