GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016

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S U MMER 2 0 1 6

S U M M E R

GOODLIFEMAGAZINE.CA

GoodLife South Simcoe Edition

SIMCOE COUNTY’S

FARMERS’ MARKETS

IN THE KITCHEN: Cremahh

fun things TO DO

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www.kellymccague.com kmccague@royallepage.ca Visit my website for additional photos and virtual tours.

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SOUTH SIMCOE Publisher Dana Robbins Regional General Manager Simcoe - Muskoka - York Shaun Sauve Editors Lori Martin Elise Allain Advertising Sales Supervisor Angela Makaroff

Graphic Design Nick Bornino Jennifer Dallman Luanne Turner Advertising Sales Representatives Debbie Booth Jennifer Cameron Angelika Crisp Shalani Ingham Mary March Donna Power Tara Thompson Beth Wink Photography Contributions Mike Guilbault Photography Ellie Kistemaker Candice Manastersky Editorial Contributions Holly Crawford Daniela Distefano Katherine Elphick Erika Engel Kim Goggins Robin Leblanc Michael Pinkus Dawn Ritchie 169 Dufferin St., Alliston, ON L9R 1E6 Phone: 705-435-6228 Fax: 705-435-3342 For advertising inquiries please email amakaroff@simcoe.com or call 705-435-6228 ext. 222 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 GoodLife South Simcoe. GoodLife South Simcoe is published four times per year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

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contents 10

46 Beauty Spot 48 Contemporary 50 Cottage Travel 58 In the Crowd 64 Drink: Wine

Exploration may lead you to a new favourite wine

Natural beauty products

10 20 31

Home Tour

Georgian Bay - The best of everything in one home

In the Kitchen

with Sabina Morell ~ Cremahh

Selection Smorgasbord Local farms bring a smorgasbord to the table

6 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 â&#x2013;

36 38 Events Portfolio 42

Drink: Craft Beer Patio season is here and your craft beer is waiting

Things to do in our area

Lenore Burton

A Muskoka retreat

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editors note

Editors

If you haven’t already,

there isn’t a better time or place to try gelato, then right here in our own backyard of Beeton. Cremahh is a local success story offering dozens of delicious and unique flavours of both artisanal gelato and sorbetto. Read more about this local best-kept secret in this issue. Farmers’ markets continue to grow in popularity. Food writer Katherine Elphick speaks with farmers across the region, and provides some fantastic must-try recipes focusing on fresh ingredients grown right here in Simcoe County. Finally, join us on a tour of two spectacular homes; one is a fabulous post and beam and the other a chic, contemporary Muskoka cottage and both offering the finest in luxury features. Enjoy the warm weather, enjoy great food and enjoy all things local. Enjoy the GoodLife!

Elise Allain

ELISEALLAIN General Manager

goodlife@simcoe.com

Katherine Elphick’s interview with Cremahh – In the Kitchen with Sabina Morell offers wonderful insight into what it takes to run a successful business. Morell’s experience could be used as a step-by-step guide on how to start and run a business. Before opening the Beeton business, Morell travelled to Italy to learn from the masters how to create delicious gelato. She uses local sources – Miller’s Dairy and local farmers – for many of her ingredients. After deciding an expansion was needed to welcome the walk-in traffic, Cremahh renovated a century building downtown while maintaining its vintage charm. I think one of the biggest compliments to her business is the fact it is used as a daily social gathering location by a group of farmers. All of this plus the menu makes my mouth water. A trip to Cremahh is on my list of things to do this summer and I bet it will be on yours once you read this piece.

LORIMARTIN Editor-in-chief

8 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

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home tour|Georgian Bay

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EVERY CORNER HOLDS A

MEMORY BY DAWN RITCHIE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE GUILBAULT

n the late ’90s, Dr. Bijan Pourat and his wife Nellie were visiting cousins in Collingwood when they paused to glimpse in the window of a realty storefront. In a quicksilver move, the realtor suggested, “Let me show you a place on the water.” Curious, the Pourats agreed to take a look, despite the fact they were nearly three thousand miles away from their primary residence in Beverly Hills, California.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 11

home tour|Georgian Bay

“

We wanted the sun, the light, the view. Outside is so important. We didn’t come here to sit in a dark room.”

The great room and adjoining bar was now sunken a half level below the kitchen, providing a smooth transition to the exterior and direct access to the lake. A pretty iron-branched railing divides the two areas. Grey natural stone with radiant heating was installed in all the heavy traffic areas as yet another way to bring a sense of the outdoors inside.

12 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

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“In the evening, there are the magnificent unbelievable sunsets. We turn on the firepit and just enjoy looking at them. It makes all the effort of coming and going worth it.”

The inviting setting of the chalet right on the bay was hard to resist. “We made an offer that morning,” says Nellie Pourat. It was countered in the afternoon and before evening they were the proud owners of the sprawling five-bedroom residence on the glistening waters of Georgian Bay. “I wanted a house that you could hear nothing but the birds,” says Dr. Pourat. “Collingwood has this Highway 26 zipping along the coastline. Most homes get this noise, but not here. There’s a nature reserve next door. All you could hear were the frogs making a racket. I felt enveloped in nature.” It was just the right prescription for relaxation to combat the daily stresses of this busy Cedars Sinai cardiologist from Los Angeles. Dr. Pourat had recently distilled his practice from the traditional crack and cut cardiology into a concentration on whole body health. He knew the importance of down time and what better spot to reinvigorate one’s system then in this leisure paradise. “Nutrition is 70 to 80 per cent of good health,” explains Dr. Pourat. “But also, lifestyle. No smoking, the right amount of sleep, mentally being calm, exercise and your value and support systems. These are the keys for good health.” The first order of business before occupying the chalet was to increase the interior’s access to the land’s natural beauty.

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home tour|Georgian Bay

Opposite the kitchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s island, a turned-legged dining table that seats eight is lit by a wrought iron chandelier. Nostalgic Wood from Mount Forest laid the richly warm reclaimed rock elm flooring here. It was milled from barn beams that were over a hundred years old.

14 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 â&#x2013;

CUSTOM HARDWOOD FLOORING The couple decided to demolish half of the house and rebuild. “There were no windows looking out to the water,” says Dr. Pourat. “We wanted the sun, the light, the view. Outside is so important. We didn’t come here to sit in a dark room.” The Pourats hired local Swiss contractor Peter Schlegel and instructed him that money was not an issue in the chalet’s rebuild. They wanted the best of everything without compromise. Schlegel switched the direction of the roof and faced the gables towards the water to take advantage of the view. The room was now open to the extensive vistas of picturesque Georgian Bay through a wall of premium quality Loewen windows that extended right to the chalet’s peak. “We wanted to bring the lake inside,” says Dr. Pourat. “Now there’s lots of light. At first we were warned, this could be terrible in winter, they don’t normally do this, installing windows to the roofline, but we insisted and with good insulation and in-floor radiant heating, even in the worst winters the house remains unbelievably comfortable.” Normerica, a post and beam builder, supplied the pine wood beam package for the new addition, which coordinated perfectly with the tongue and groove pine ceilings Schlegel installed. Stonemason John McCaffrey shaped and built a seal stone fireplace that rose dramatically to the cathedral ceiling. The roof was reshingled in natural cedar shake. The great room and adjoining bar were now sunken a half level below the kitchen, providing a smooth transition to the exterior and direct access to the lake. A pretty iron-branched railing divides the two areas. Up the steps to the kitchen, you pass two deep leather club chairs where guests can relax and chat with the chef during meal preparation. Opposite the kitchen’s island, a turnedlegged dining table that seats eight is lit by a wrought iron chandelier. Nostalgic Wood from Mount Forest laid the richly warm reclaimed rock elm flooring here. It was milled from barn beams that were over a hundred years old. Premiere Kitchens in Collingwood finished the kitchen design in keeping with the upscale rustic theme desired throughout. Grey natural stone with radiant heating was installed in all the heavy traffic areas as yet another way to bring a sense of the outdoors inside. “People want

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home tour|Georgian Bay

The natural stone flooring carries through to the walls of the shower in the three-piece bath on the main floor.

16 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 â&#x2013;

nature,” says Dr. Pourat. “The house has to reflect that.” The natural stone flooring carries through to the walls of the shower in the three-piece bath on the main floor. The experience inside the chalet was of equal significance to the homeowners. It had to be thoughtful and inspiring. Passage to the main floor’s two bedrooms take guests past reminders of the wild, a gigantic turtle shell, the elaborate carving emerging out of a tree trunk and bowls of sea rocks. There are five bedrooms in total in the chalet to support the steady influx of guests – two on the main floor and three more, including the master on the second floor. Even the master’s en suite is bathed in natural daylight, which streams in from an upper bank of windows in the room. It was important to the Pourats that construction materials and furnishings be all locally sourced. Designer Lorna Gordon Brown was hired for the interiors with marching orders for an eclectic look. She ordered plush custom-made slipcovered sofas and chairs for the great room that just beg to be sunken into after a long day of activities. An antique games table with stools sits behind the main sofa for evening chess games. In the event of inclement weather, the spacious recreation room on the lower level holds a championship-sized ping-pong table for family tournaments. The majority of the art in the home was carted up from California piece by piece on each of the homeowners’ many trips, including a 30-pound monster Ammonite fossil (an extinct marine mollusk) they had purchased in Los Angeles at a collectibles boutique. It was a gruelling operation, recalls Dr. Pourat. Especially dealing with the relentless import regulations and duties, but they had a singular goal in mind. “We wanted every corner of the house to remind us of our trips around the world. We knew we were assembling something beautiful for us and our guests.” The coffee table trunk with drawers in the great room hails from India. The antique paintings over the bar are from Iran. The imposing masks in the foyer are authentic tribal pieces from Africa. Every corner holds art objects and handmade pots from the likes of India, China or another distant land. Nautical pieces are also found scattered throughout the chalet including several ship captain’s wheels and engraved

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home tour|Georgian Bay

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antique copper diving helmets from the U.S. Navy that decorate the shelves next to the fireplace. “Those are quite valuable pieces,” says Dr. Pourat, who purchased them at an auction in the states. “Lugging everything was so heavy. It was a real labour of love.” Landscaping was next on the agenda. The property boasts an enormous boat slip and the Pourats wanted the promenade out to the water to be a picturesque one. Speakers were not only installed throughout the interior of the chalet but also in the exteriors. The manicured expanse of lawn on the right side is cut by a meandering path of flagstone and boulders to the left that extend right onto the raised dock where four Adirondack chairs await the spectacular sunsets the homeowners so deeply appreciate. A patch of wild seagrass was left to line the shoreline. Although their boat slip could easily accommodate a flotilla of watercraft, the homeowners settled on “tiny canoes and rowboats.” Living out of province meant it was simpler to rent motorized boats whenever so desired. “All the day we enjoy music,” says Dr. Pourat. “Inside and outside. In the evening, there are the magnificent unbelievable sunsets. We turn on the firepit and just enjoy looking at them. It makes all the effort of coming and going worth it. With their adult children all grown, the Pourats are now “tidying up their lives” and have reluctantly put 140 Barltett Blvd. in Collingwood on the market. It is listed with Andres Paara of Royal LePage.

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in the kitchen|Cremahh

•

IN THE

WITH

Sabina Morell BY KATHERINE ELPHICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLIE KISTEMAKER

ocated in downtown historic Beeton, Cremahh is an artisanal gelato company worth visiting. “I love making gelato and introducing people to the full gelato experience,” says Sabina Morell, who set up shop four years ago. Before diving into the gelato business, Morell travelled to Italy to study with some of the world’s best gelato masters. “These hardcore gelato makers taught me how to create exquisite artisanal gelato with bold pairings and inspiring recipe combinations,” she explains. Cremahh’s gelato is made fresh daily, using allnatural ingredients. With the constant hum of whirring gelato machines in the background, GoodLife recently caught up with the Beeton business owner to get the full scoop on Cremahh and its recent expansion.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 21

in the kitchen|Cremahh

Fresh and all-natural ingredients are key! When you come to the store, you are tasting a fresh and natural gelato that was made two hours ago using local milk from Millerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dairy in Creemore. In terms of flavours, anything goes at Cremahh as long as the ingredients are fresh, all natural and clean. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use artificial colours, artificial flavours or preservatives.

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When you opened Cremahh four years ago, you had a tiny retail outlet in the back of a Beeton store that served up seven flavours. Now you’ve expanded your flavour profiles and occupy a 600-square-foot storefront on Beeton’s main street. Why the move? Sabina Morell: Expansion was a must because we were literally overwhelmed with walk-in customers wanting scooped gelato. It’s funny because we never thought our retails sales would be very high because Beeton is a fairly small town. Because of that, we originally decided to focus less on retail sales and more on catering, corporate events and weddings. But as it turns out, local residents really love gelato! Our retail side is booming and, on most summer days, we sell out of the 14 flavours we have on offer. We love being in Beeton and, since opening, have constantly been a source of employment for locals.

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What’s the secret to making amazing gelato? SM: Fresh and all-natural ingredients are key! When you come to the store, you are tasting a fresh and natural gelato that was made two hours ago using local milk from Miller’s Dairy in Creemore. In terms of flavours, anything goes at Cremahh as long as the ingredients are fresh, all natural and clean. We don’t use artificial colours, artificial flavours or preservatives. What led you to open up a gelato shop in Beeton? SM: After years of living in Toronto and working in the corporate world, my husband and I decided to move our family to Beeton nine years ago to raise our kids in a more rural setting. My goal was to start up a local food business as I had graduated from the pastry arts program at George Brown.

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in the kitchen|Cremahh

We also run a really fun strawberry festival, where almost every flavour will be a strawberry variation.

The idea of a gelato business came to me during a family vacation to Italy. The whole trip was basically a gelato eating contest [laughs] because my kids fell in love with all of the gelaterias around Italy. One day, while sitting on some cobblestone steps enjoying yet another scoop, I made the decision to start making gelato. Tell me about learning the tricks of the trade from the Italian gelato masters. SM: I’ve been to Italy several times to hone my gelato making skills with various renowned gelato makers in Florence, Milan, and an area north of Venice. My family is originally from Italy, so it’s always wonderful for me to go back and learn new techniques and trends there.

24 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

ICE P RV

NAL T IO

FESS RO

ES RE E

What’s on the menu at Cremahh? SM: Every day we offer 14 fresh flavours seven are dairy and seven are non-dairy. The gelato is available in a cone, cup, donut or cookie sandwich. We also sell coffee, specialty coffees, real fruit natural slushies, all natural healthy smoothies, baked goods (including sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan treats) salads, quiches, and grilled sandwiches. Several vegan and gluten-free items are available. What’s the difference between gelato and ice cream? SM: Gelato is the Italian version of ice cream. It’s generally denser and has less fat than North American ice cream. Gelato flavours also tend to be more intense due to having less air whipped into it during production. The fruit versions of gelato are made with water in place of milk and are called sorbetto, What are the most popular scooping flavours? SM: Hands down, lemon biscotti is the winner. But salted caramel is a close second. We also sell a lot of lemon lime sorbetto. Our 14 flavour daily menu is constantly changing, as we have over 23 sorbetto flavours (ranging from blood orange, mojito, or Guinness beer to raspberry lime) and over 52 dairy gelato flavours on offer (ranging from apple pie, butter tart, or maple brittle to coconut cream pie). What’s your personal favourite? SM: I love mixing my gelato flavours. My go-to order is dark chocolate with a side of pomegranate sorbetto. The richness of the chocolate combined with the fruity and tarty sorbetto is amazing!

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 25

in the kitchen|Cremahh

Eat well, laugh often, love much guessed these bizarre flavours, they became official taste testers. It was a really popular contest with over 2,000 entries.

book saying: ‘What flavours do you have today? We want to go for a country drive and swing by for some gelato.’

Along with using Miller’s Dairy, I understand you take full advantage of local and seasonal crops.

Let’s hear about Cremahh’s Flavour Fridays.

SM: Local and seasonal ingredients are key to our flavours. From maple syrup to local berries, we love supporting our local farmers. Beeton is known for its honey, so we often use honey to create some unique flavours like honey orange blossom. We also run a really fun strawberry festival, where almost every flavour will be a strawberry variation. Let’s hear more about the non-dairy flavours.

Cremahh is located in historic downtown Beeton in a renovated century building with exposed brick walls and plenty of windows. How would you describe the decor? SM: It has a rustic country look with plenty of reclaimed accents. Prior to our renovation, the building was in pretty bad shape. Our goal was to maintain the vintage look, while breathing new life into the space. The shop has about 15 seats and is very homey. In fact, every day a group of nine or so local farmers come in to have coffee and enjoy a social visit. I love the community atmosphere of Beeton and we are proud to be a part of this rural community. What’s the most bizarre gelato flavour you have made? SM: Two of the wackiest flavours we’ve made are banana curry and watermelon beet [laughs]. These flavours originated from a tester contest we had last year, where people had to tell us why they should be chosen as a Cremahh taste tester. If they

26 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

SM: For the non-dairy base we use coconut milk, almond milk or rice milk. Our vegan, non-dairy line is a huge portion of our business. It almost has a cult-like following and people from Toronto place huge orders with us online to fill their freezers. We also sell some gluten-free flavours. Beyond your Beeton scooping shop, where can people find your gelato? SM: We sell at various farmers’ markets during the summer with a mobile gelateria. We also specialize in catering events such as weddings and corporate functions. You can even order Cremahh gelato online to be delivered. Check out our Facebook page for more information. How much gelato will your shop go through on a busy day in the summer? SM: We can easily go through 125 litres of gelato a day. As a result, the gelato making machines are humming all day long. Some days, I’m elbow deep in gelato making from sunrise to sunset just to keep up. We really do have a huge following! We regularly get people driving up from Toronto for a scoop of gelato. They will message us on Face-

SM: Every Friday we feature a special flavour that we post on Facebook. We will keep it stocked all weekend long. What’s your favourite local food destination? SM: Since I follow a vegan and gluten-free diet, my favourite place to go is Vidya’a Veggie Gourmet Restaurant in Thornton (veggiegourmet.ca.) The food is fresh and it’s really, really yummy! Any interesting future plans? SM: We are just about to launch a pint of the month club through our updated website. Still working out the details, but you can basically order four or eight pints a month from a list of flavours and have them delivered to your door on a monthly basis. On that note, customers can also buy takehome pints at the shop, as well. You’ve got the ear of thousands of local foodies, anything you’d like to add? SM: Mangiare bene, ridere spesso, amano tanto are the perfect words to live your life by. Eat well, laugh often, love much is the English translation.

Cremahh 41 Main Street West, Beeton 1-888-481-7978 cremahh.com

SEE CREMAHH’S MASCARPONE GELATO WITH LIMONCELLO STRAWBERRIES Recipe on the next page

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This immaculate 1790 sq. ft. 3 bedroom town home is far too nice to miss! Located in the sought after Castlemore Crossing neighbourhood, it is close to all amenities. Check out the open concept kitchen/dining room perfect for family & friends. Hardwood floors through the main level, as well as staircases to upper/lower levels & the upper hallway. Good size master offers a 4pc ensuite. The additional bedrooms are spacious & bright. Finish it off with a walk out lower level, and garage access to home. Offered at $609,900

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Direct 905.724.0717 GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 27

in the kitchen|Cremahh

“

Local and seasonal ingredients are key to our flavours. From maple syrup to local berries, we love supporting our local farmers.”

MASCARPONE GELATO WITH LIMONCELLO STRAWBERRIES Recipe courtesy of Sabina Morell of Cremahh

This delectable recipe makes about 2 pints. Or, you can easily pick up a couple of pints of Cremahh’s mascarpone gelato.

INGREDIENTS: 1-1/2 cups mascarpone cheese, room temperature 2 cups whole milk, chilled 1/2 cup granulated sugar Lemon zest from one lemon

PREPARATION: 1. In medium bowl, mix together all ingredients and blend well with a hand-held mixer. Once well mixed, let sit for one hour in the refrigerator. Transfer to your ice cream maker and refer to your specific ice cream maker’s instructions for churning times.

Limoncello Strawberries 2 Tbsp butter or coconut oil 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 cup strawberries washed, hulled and sliced 1/4 cup limoncello (optional, can use lemon juice instead)

PREPARATION: 1. In frying pan over medium heat, melt butter or coconut oil. Add in the rest of the ingredients and cook until mixture starts to bubble, stirring constantly. Once your mixture is bubbling for two minutes, turn it off and let it rest for a few minutes.

Scoop your gelato into cups and pour strawberries and sauce over generously. Enjoy!

28 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

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farmers’ markets

SELECTION SMORGASBORD FARMERS’ MARKETS CONTINUE TO GROW IN POPULARITY AND OFFERINGS BY KATHERINE ELPHICK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLIE KISTEMAKER

early every Saturday morning for the past 26 years, Lynda Van Casteren of Nicholyn Farms has risen before 4 am, loaded up her farm truck (with help from family), and made her way to the Barrie Farmers’ Market to set up shop. “I always look forward to market days,” confesses the longtime vendor as she serves up a freshly prepared peameal bacon sandwich to an eager customer at the Barrie market. “The community and social atmosphere is amazing.” While the friendly community feeling has been a constant, farmers’ markets have changed since Van Casteren first started decades ago. “There has definitely been an evolution,” she explains. “Back in the early days, we had a handful of vendors and the selection was limited. There was the egg farmer, the honey guy, the apple farmer, the produce farmer and so on. We still have all of those staples, but now there’s much more. Heck, you can even buy Ontario wine at the Barrie Farmers’ Market now!” Apart from homemade baked goods, local farmers’ markets feature a rainbow of local farm fresh produce, honey, locally raised meats, plants, flowers, preserves, chocolate, and gourmet food products -- to name a few. “Prepared foods are now really big at markets,” she explains. “At the Barrie Farmers’ Market, you can buy soup,

SAUSAGE & PENNE RECIPE ON PAGE

Inspired by the tastes of farmers’ markets, the following recipes are sure to delight. Every recipe contains at least one locally grown or produced ingredient. Enjoy!

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 31

farmers’ markets Nicholyn Farms GRILLED BALSAMIC ASPARAGUS Nicholyn Farms are vendors at the Barrie Farmers’ Market Nicholyn Farms 3088 Horseshoe Valley Rd W, Phelpston 705-737-4498, nicholyn.com This recipe is a tasty way to enjoy the local asparagus crop. 1 lb (500grams) fresh asparagus 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 3 Tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 tsp sea salt Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Chinese food, Indian food, perogies, along with various other prepared meals. And the meals are made with local ingredients.” To keep up with trends, Van Casteren who started out selling pork, pies and preserves 26 years ago, now serves up their own farm raised pork, beef, chicken, lamb, along with baked goods and fresh fruits and vegetables from their gardens and Geodome. She also sells locally produced bison, elk, venison and fish. “Like other vendors at the market, we’ve diversified.” Why the plethora of offerings? A couple of reasons. “Consumers have become more food savvy and want more variety,” explains the local farmer. “Secondly, grocery stores have realized that farmers’ markets are popular and have taken great measures to set their shops up like local markets — as such, we’ve had to step it up a notch to compete.” There’s no question that farmers’ markets have grown in popularity over the past decade. Inspired by the local food movement, farmers’ markets have been taking root all across Canada. While some are well established (the Barrie Farmers’ Market has been around since 1846), others are just a few years old. Robert Chorney, executive director of Farmers’ Markets Ontario, says the interest in farmers’ markets is strong. In the early 1990s, Ontario had about 60 markets. By the end of 2016, about 180 will be up and running. 32 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

PREPARATION: 1. Snap off tough ends of asparagus and wash well in cold water. 2. Combine all ingredients in a sealable bag or container and marinate for 30 to 60 minutes. 3. Preheat grill on medium heat. 4. Remove asparagus from container and place on preheated oiled grill rack. Grill 5 minutes on each side or until tender to touch with a fork. 5. Devour with enthusiasm.

Lynda Van Casteren of Nicholyn Farms

What’s driving the renaissance of farmers’ markets? Three things, according to Chorney, who is also the founding President of Farmers’ Markets Canada. “The whole local food thing is huge right now, and it’s here to stay. People want fresher foods grown locally. Secondly, community groups are looking to do something new like put a bit of fizz in their downtowns. Lastly, the farmers are saying they’ve had enough -they want to sell direct and cut out the middle man.” Shopping at a farmers’ market is a healthy decision not only for you, but for your community’s economy as well. “For every dollar spent at the market, another two dollars ripple through the provincial economy,” explains Chorney. In Ontario

Valley Farms SASKATOON PIE Valley Farms are vendors at the Springwater-Elmvale Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Markets Valley Farm Market & Catering 2457 County Road 92, Elmvale 705-322-2646, valleyfarmmarket.ca

PREPARATION:

This recipe makes great use of the Saskatoon berries grown at Valley Farms!

3. Cover with top crust (either a full cover, or strips). Brush top pie crust with the egg then sprinkle the 1 tsp of sugar on top. Pinch seams together and mark your pie vents.

4 cups Valley Farms Saskatoon berries 1/2 cup granulated white sugar 2-1/2Tbsp cornstarch 1 tsp (extra) granulated white sugar for topping Pie crust for one 9-inch pie (top and bottom) 1 egg, beaten for brushing the top

562 Victoria St. E, Alliston www.wiltonsalliston.ca

705-435-4945

1. Gently toss together berries, sugar and cornstarch until berries are coated. 2. Place bottom crust into the pie plate. Pour in berries and top with 1 Tbsp butter, if desired.

4. Using the lowest rack of your oven, bake for 15 minutes at 425F. Reduce to 350F, and bake for about 50 to 55 minutes more, or until you see the pie filling bubbling and your pie is browned. 5. Remove from oven and cool on a baking rack. Enjoy this pie with some local French vanilla ice cream. {Serves 6}

Wiltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

FLOOR and WALL COVERINGS LTD.

farmers’ markets SIMCOE COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKETS Many farmers’ markets in Simcoe County offer a bounty of farm fresh delights, and delicious food products. For more information on these markets or local food, visit simcoecountyfarmfresh.ca. Alliston Farmers’ Market, Mill St. and Victoria St. W, Alliston, allistonfarmersmarket.ca. Open Saturdays 8 am to 2 pm from May 21 to October 26. Barrie Farmers’ Market, Barrie City Hall (corner Mulcaster and Collier Sts.), 705-737-0125, barriefarmersmarket. com. Open Saturdays, year-round, 8 am to noon. A second mid week market runs on Wednesdays in the summer season from 2 pm to 6 pm (same location). Bradford Farmers’ Market, Bradford (corner of John and Barrie Sts.), 905-775-4488, facebook.com/BradfordOntarioFarmersMarket. Open Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm, Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend. Collingwood Downtown Farmers’ Market, Collingwood (corner of Second & Pine Sts.) 705-445-5595, collingwooddowntown.com/farmers-market. Open Saturdays, 8:30 am to 1 pm, Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend. Creemore Farmers’ Market, Creemore, (Station on the Green, Caroline St.), 705-466-3591, creemorefarmersmarket.ca. Open Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm, Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend. Innisfil Farmers’ Market, Innisfil Recreational Complex (7315 Yonge St.), 705-436-3710, innisfilfarmersmarket. ca. Open Thursdays from 2 pm to 7 pm from June 16 until Thanksgiving weekend (rain or shine).

34 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

alone, sales at farmers’ markets total almost $750 million, leading to an economic impact of $2.5 billion. “For every one person you see working at the market, another two are busy at work back on the farm,” he explains. As many as 27,000 people in Ontario are directly involved in preparing and selling the products you find at the market. Farmers’ markets are also a great way to incubate a new business because of the low overhead. “At the Barrie Farmers’ Market, we’ve seen several vendors turn their stalls into storefronts,” explains Van Casteren. Examples include SoupHerb and Chavo Crepes to name a few. Robert Radcliffe, who represents his family’s business, Lakeview Gardens in Lefroy, at three farmers’ markets — Bradford, Innisfil and Sandy Cove - says: “farmers’ markets are a great way for local growers and producers to sell directly to consumers.” Lakeview Gardens is a three generation farm with a 28,000-square-foot greenhouse operation and outdoor fields. A sampling of Lakeview Garden’s crops include: various cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet peppers, gourmet greens, kale, collards, onions, beets, carrots, leeks, beans, shallots, broccoli, herbs, flowers, vegetable seedlings and more. “We also grow hot peppers from mild jalapeños to the hottest varieties in the world, including the Carolina Reaper and the Trinidad Scorpion,” he explains. “We

sell those at the market, and trust me, they are hot!” Offering items like hot peppers illustrates how vendors are stepping outside-thebox to cater to modern foodies. “We are constantly experimenting with new crops and work hard to extend growing seasons for our customers,” says Radcliffe. Besides shopping, there’s plenty to see and do at the area markets. Many local farmers’ markets now offer up live music, barbecues, roaming magicians, strawberry festivals, pancake breakfasts, and more to entice visitors. Getting back to the root of farmers’ markets, Henri Linde of Valley Farm Market and Catering says folks are drawn to farmers’ markets because they want to know where their food and plants come from. “People enjoy meeting the local growers and producers,” says the farmer who is a vendor at the Springwater-Elmvale Farmers’ Market. “Beyond that, more and more people are realizing that supporting local agriculture is important.” Valley Farm Market grows asparagus, strawberries, Saskatoon berries, sweet peas, sweet corn, beets, mixed lettuces, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and much more on its farm. And all of that is on offer at the farmers’ market. But the best reason to go to a local farmers’ market is freshness, according to Linde. “Where else can you buy a carrot that was freshly picked that morning?”

SIMCOE COUNTY FARMERS’ MARKETS

Orillia Farmers’ Market, Orillia, (market block - beside Orillia Opera House, corner of West and Mississauga Streets), 705-238-7955, orilliafarmersmarket. on.ca. Open year-round on Saturdays from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. Orillia Fairgrounds Farmers’ Market, Orillia (Orillia District Agricultural Society (ODAS) at 4500 Fairgrounds Road just off of Hwy 12 W), 705-321-4168, orilliafairgroundsfarmersmarket.ca. Open Saturdays year-round from 8 am to 1 pm. Sandy Cove Farmers’ Market, Sandy Cove (Wheel Community Hall, 2 Weeping Willow Drive). Open every Tuesday from May 31 from 10 am to 2 pm. The Southern Georgian Bay Farmers’ Markets, three locations, sgbfarmersmarkets.com. Open yearround on Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm at La Cle, 63 Main St, Penetanguishene. Open year-round on Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm at the Huronia Museum, 549 Little Lake Park Rd, Midland. Open Fridays (starting May 20, 2016) from 2 pm to 8 pm at Burl’s Creek, 180 8th Line South, Oro Medonte. Springwater-Elmvale Farmers’ Market, Elmvale (Community Centre parking lot), springwater.ca/community/springwater_ elmvale_farmers_market. Open Fridays 9 am to 2 pm from June to Thanksgiving weekend. Stayner Farmers’ Market, Stayner (Station Park on 7259 Hwy 26), 705-428-6230 ex. 249. Open Thursdays 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm from June 11 to August 27. Wasaga Beach Farmers’ Market, Wasaga Beach (705) 812-8122, wasagabeachfarmersmarket.com. Open Saturdays from 7 am to 2 pm. Dates and exact location TBA at press time.

Flevo Farm SAUSAGE & PENNE

Flevo Farm is a vendor at the Creemore Farmers’ Market 3212 Flos Road 3 West, Phelpston 705-322-1832, flevofarm.ca Ed and Nancy DeGorter of are full-time vendors at the Creemore Farmers’ Market. Their family has been in the pork business since 1973. Nancy put this recipe together to enjoy Oktoberfest sausages without the bun that is the usual accompaniment. Says Nancy: “we have since tried it with our honey garlic and hot and spicy. All three are delicious and quick to prepare!” 1 lb (500 grams) Flevo Farm sausage 2 cups penne* 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, cut into wedges 1 clove garlic, minced 1 stalk celery, chopped

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or 2 whole tomatoes, chopped) 2 Tbsp fresh basil or fresh parsley, chopped (or ½ tsp dried) 1/2 tsp hot pepper flakes 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar Fresh grated parmesan

PREPARATION: 1. Boil sausage in large skillet until cooked to a hint of pink inside. Drain, reserving liquid. Slice sausage into 1/4 inch rounds. 2. Cook penne until al dente. 3. Heat oil in skillet. Cook onions, garlic, celery for a few minutes. Add tomatoes and basil/parsley and cook for a few minutes until tomatoes have softened. Stir in hot pepper flakes, sausage rounds, and balsamic vinegar. Toss in penne and mix thoroughly. Add some of the reserved liquid if mixture seems too dry. Sprinkle with parmesan. Makes 3 to 4 servings. Enjoy! Note: *Substitute 1 cup whole grain or basmati rice and cook according to package directions. Serve sausage mixture over rice rather than mixing it all together.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 35

drink|Craft Beer

SUMMER SESSIONS Warmer weather means more time outside on the deck and patio. Thankfully there’s a class of beer that won’t punish you for staying out a little longer BY ROBIN LEBLANC

ith the warmer weather finally here (knock on wood), I’m spending a lot more of my time o n the porch at the cottage and, as I always on do at this time of year, finding that my tastes are going more towards session beers. Now, when I say “session beers,” I’m not referring to beers that you can have at Session Toronto, the festival at Dundas Square. While those are fantastic beers to look forward to, in this instance I’m talking about the class of beers you can pick up at the store and enjoy at home. To be called “session” a beer has to follow one simple guideline: be at or below 4.5 per cent ABV – just low enough in alcohol that you can enjoy several of them in a drinking “session,” as it were. It may initially sound odd to give lower-alcohol beers a distinction 36 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

like that but with more and more breweries making some beers that – while fantastic in flavour – can start at 8.0 per cent ABV and go all the way up to 15%, it’s good to know that there’s a selection out there that won’t skimp on flavour ... and ensure you can walk away after one or three cold ones on the dock. When you see a beer with “session” in its name, you can be sure that you’re in for a beer that won’t lead to a headache afterwards.While session beers aren’t totally a new class, the past two years have seen a fantastic rise in demand for them, with plenty of Ontario breweries coming out with their own easy drinking beverages.

muskokabeerfestival.ca POMPOUS ASS ENGLISH ALE Great Lakes Brewery ABV: 4.2% LCBO#: 408054 It’s important to note that session beers aren’t just light-bodied and hoppy. Sometimes they’re rich, malty and a bit heavier as well. A prime example of this is none other than Great Lakes Brewery’s own year-round favourite, Pompous Ass English Ale. Pouring a deep hazy amber and giving off an aroma showcasing roasted coffee notes, expect lovely flavours of bread pudding, caramel, and stone fruits in a medium body. STATE OF MIND SESSION IPA Collective Arts Brewing Ltd. ABV: 4.4% LCBO# 420034 Collective Arts is one of Ontario’s most memorable breweries due in no small part to the vibrant, consistently changing artwork that adorns their bottles. But while the bottle designs by local artists manage to grab your curiosity, the results of head brewer Ryan Morrow’s talent grabs your attention. State of Mind is a very solid addition to Ontario’s selection of Session IPAs, with pineapple and orange balancing nicely with a mild bitterness.

LITTLE NORWAY PALE LAGER Sawdust City Brewing Co. ABV: 4.5% In 1942, at the height of the World War, the Royal Norwegian Air Force moved its “Little Norway” training facility from Toronto to the Muskoka Airfield near Gravenhurst. From then until the remainder of the war, the town was host to thousands of Norwegian pilots honing their skills. This pale lager, a collaboration between Gravenhurst’s Sawdust City and Norway’s Arendals Bryggeri, is a tribute to the past and present friendship of two nations. This very light-bodied beer – only available in select bars, at the brewery itself and in select stores in Norway – has distinct grain character with a delicate grassiness and crisp, dry finish.

DETOUR SESSION IPA Muskoka Brewery ABV: 4.3% LCBO#: 404368 (single) 404335 (six pack) Muskoka Brewery doesn’t get much credit for being fairly ahead of the curve when it comes to certain beer style trends in Ontario. Mad Tom IPA, for instance, was one of the first intensely flavoured IPAs when the province was just waking up to the style. Similarly, Detour was one of the first beers in Ontario to be marketed as a Session IPA before the craze really started kicking off. Detour is both adventurously hopped and one of the more accessible beers for newcomers in Muskoka Brewery’s catalogue. Expect notes of lemon, grapefruit and pine with a grassy finish in this lovely porch sipper. Robin LeBlanc is an award-winning beer writer and owner of thethirstywench.com. She is also the co-author of The Ontario Craft Beer Guide, which is now available.

JULY

ANNIE WILLIAMS PARK 1-8pm Bracebridge

HEADLINER TOKYO P O L IC E C L U B !

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 37

THINGS TO DO

in Alliston and area

Revisit classic rock America rides into Casino Rama June 17 at 9 p.m. Known for Horse With No Name, Sister Golden Hair and Ventura Highway. Tickets start at $30. casinorama.com

Let your inner rocker out Whitesnake hits the Casino Rama stage June 18. The band is best known for Here I Go Again, Still Of The Night and Is This Love. Tickets start at $37. casinorama.com

Paddle up to a good time MEC Paddlefest Barrie runs June 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centennial Beach Park. This annual festival is dedicated to paddlesport enthusiasts involved in kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. There will also be clinics for beginner to advanced paddlers. mec.ca/paddlefest or barriepaddlefest@ mec.ca

Explore Celtic roots The Celtic Woman Destiny World Tour is at Casino Rama June 24 and 25. The show features traditional and contemporary Irish songs accompanied by high-energy musicians and dancers for a fresh fusion of musical and cultural traditions. Tickets start at $39. casinorama.com

All about community Tottenham Community Week celebrates 48 years of family and community spirit from June 27 to July 3. The volunteer organizers jam a whole lot of fun into the week, with the festivities including a festival, fishing derby, outdoor movie, fun run, and more. tottenhamcommunityweek.ca a Canadian legend. 06 Hear Casino Rama welcomes

Burton Cummings July 1 and 2. Known for his hits Break it to Them Gently, Fine State of Affairs and My Own Way to Rock. Tickets start at $52. casinorama.com birthday! 07 Happy Spend the afternoon

July 1 at Canada’s birthday bash in Riverdale Park in Alliston from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. enjoying games and activities, a crafters’ market, live entertainment, birthday cake, and more. In the evening from 5 p.m. to dusk, the fun continues at Tottenham Conservation Area, with the celebration capping off with fireworks.

Let out a rebel yell Billy Idol rides into Casino Rama July 6. The rocker is best known for Mony Mony, Dancing With Myself, White Wedding and Rebel Yell. Tickets start at $50. casinorama.com

Get vamped up Hollywood Vampires, a band comprised for Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper and Joe Perry, hit Casino Rama July 8. The band will be performing their new single Bad As I Am as well as renditions of popular classics including My Generation, Whole Lotta Love, and a School’s Out/Another Brick in the Wall medley. Tickets start at $62. casinorama.com

Rule the world Casino Rama welcomes Tears for Fears July 14. The duo is best known for Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Shout, Head Over Heels and Woman in Chains. Tickets start at $40. casinorama.com

Fore the foundation The fun returns July 15 for the 24th year of the Nottawasaga Foundation Golf Tournament at Nottawasaga Inn. The day includes a 9-hole golf tournament and massages for the ladies, a mixed 18-hole tourney, barbecue lunch, putting contest, dinner, awards and prizes. All the money raised is donated back to the community throughout year through the Nottawasaga Foundation. Last year, $346,000 was raised at the one-day event. nottawasagaresort.com

Re-live the Rat Pack Rat Pack Returns is at Casino Rama July 16. Backed by a 12-piece orchestra, four performers take us back to some hot vocals, witty banter, spontaneous stage antics and spot-on impressions of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Tickets start at $19. casinorama.com

Hit a concert WAYHOME Music and Arts Festival takes over Burl’s Creek Event Park in OroMedonte July 22 to 24. Musicians from a variety of genres takes the stage, including LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Major Lazer, M83, Haim, Metric and many more. wayhome.com

14 38 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

Catch some classics The Barrie Thunder Classics hosts

CONCERNED ABOUTYOUR

HEARING? Your hearing matters to me a great deal.

the annual Classics in the Park Car Show at Heritage Park July 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 300 classic and collector car and trucks will be on display. Admission is free. barriethunderclassics.com

Choosing the right professional IS very important. As an independent audiologist I am committed to providing you with excellent and affordable hearing care.

Steam show Spend the Civic holiday weekend at 4635 Victoria St. W. (15th Line), Cookstown, admiring the iron horses that ploughed the way for machine innovation at the Georgian Bay Steam Show July 29-Aug. 1. The event includes displays of machinery and equipment from throughout the generations, along with food, vendors, and an antique tractor pull. www.steamshow.ca

Spud days Celebrate our heritage at the Alliston Potato Festival from Aug. 7-9. From the start of the parade Friday to the street market and fairgrounds, there are more than enough activities to keep the whole family entertained. allistonpotatofestival.com.

Diane Webber-Hamilton, Au.D, Doctor of Audiology

Call now for a complimentary hearing test.

Barrie & Angus 705-503-4327 Newmarket 905-967-0345

Tottenham 1-855-390-0093 www.intouchhearing.ca

HouseProud?

Celebrate peace To pay tribute to National Peacekeepers’ Day, a parade will be held featuring Canadian Military members, police officers, and Canadian Forces Base Borden recruits as part of Peacekeepers’ Day Ceremony on Aug. 9. It pays respect to the Canadians around the world who have sacrificed everything in the name of peace. www.100yearsoffreedom.ca

Artisan Market Visit the Tottenham Artisan Market – a place where local artists, farmers, and craftspeople set up shop in the fresh air at the Four Corners in Tottenham – from Aug. 14 to Oct. 2. It’s located just around the corner from the South Simcoe Railway. Btbia.ca

WE ARE LOOKING FOR ROOMS AND HOMES TO FEATURE IN FUTURE GOODLIFE MAGAZINES.

Email: goodlife@simcoe.com

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 39

on the market

BRAMPTON BEAUTY! This immaculate 1790 sq. ft. 3 bedroom townhome is far too nice to miss! Located in the sought after Castlemore Crossing neighbourhood, it is close to all amenities. Check out the open concept kitchen/dining room perfect for family & friends. Hardwood floors through the main level, as well as staircases to upper/lower levels & the upper hallway. Good size master offers a 4pc ensuite. The additional bedrooms are spacious & bright. Finish it off with a walk out lower level, and garage access to home. Offered at $609,900

WENDY SMALL Sales Representative

THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES IN BRIAR HILL! • Formal sized living room and dining room, with coffered ceilings • Master with full en suite • 2 gas fireplaces • Attractive landscaping and deck • Lower level finished guest suite • $439,000

LINDA FURTADO*** Broker of Record

705-435-3000 905-724-0717

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Fabulous property available in Egbert. Great location, only minutes to

Exceptional attention to detail. Custom built ‘saltbox’ design offers 3 spacious levels of living space with total 4 bdrms & 3.5 bathrms. Mn flr laundry & great rm. Lower level separate entrance, walkout to patio area & in-law potential. Main level walkout to extensive deck & patio area overlooking mature landscape with flowing stream. Oversized double car garage. Ideal location, Convenient access to Hwys 400/88 & 1km to golf course. Offered at $1,195,000

Alliston, Cookstown & Hwy 400. This lovely 4,500 sq. ft. bungalow is situated on 5.5 acres with 5 walk-outs for gorgeous views for miles. It features a fully finished basement that includes a two bedroom granny suite with full kitchen, 4 pce bath and walk-out to patio over-looking spring-fed pond $978,500.

INGRID McNEILL Sales Representative

Office

705-435-4336

■

Office

Sales Representative

705-435-3000

ingrid@ronanrealty.com www.ingridmcneill.com

kmmccague@royallepage.ca www.kellymccague.com

LOGO

RCR Realty, Brokerage

Ronan Realty, Brokerage

40 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016

KELLY McCAGUE

Independently Owned & Operated

THERE ARE ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES IN BRIAR HILL

ne of the best-kept secrets in Simcoe County is the awesome lifestyle available in the Briar Hill Golf Course Community. Located in the east end of Alliston’s growing community, it has all the “I wants” of the professional or retiree who is ready for a carefree lifestyle. Enjoy all the benefits of home ownership without having to worry about external upkeep. Instead of gardening and lawn mowing, you can be out on the golf course, enjoying local activities or travelling until your heart’s content. This current resale 100 Bella Vista Trail boasts a gracious formal living room and dining room with lovely hardwood floors. The eat-in kitchen has lots of cupboards, four appliances and hardwood floors. The master bedroom has a full en suite bath and a large walk-in closet. Add the main floor

powder room and main floor laundry and you have the opportunity of one level living if needed. The lower level is fully finished with a generous family room with gas fireplace plus a full sized guest bedroom and bath. A small den and finished storage area rounds out the fully useable lower level space.

Q U I C K

FA C T S

• Formal sized living room and dining room, with coffered ceilings • Master with full en suite • 2 gas fireplaces • Attractive landscaping and deck • Lower level finished guest suite

This home is listed for $439,000 with Linda Furtado, Broker of Record, HomeLife Integrity Realty Inc., Brokerage. (Independently Owned and Operated). Call toll-free 1-866-435-4506 or 705-435-4506 Ext. 112. MLS #3483320 GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 41

portfolio|Lenore Burton

SEEING THE

BIG PICTURE IN THE

small things

BY ERIKA ENGEL

Raindrops on a windshield, rust on a metal pipe, the embroidered edge of a bridal veil, a single flower in a meadow filled with blooms and brightly coloured fish painted on the side of a building. For Lenore Burton, the photo is in the details. You’ll find no stretching landscapes or panoramic views in her portfolio.

42 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

he jokes that she bought a wideangle lens, but has yet to use it. “I was taught this way,” she said. “The theory is you take a photo of the whole barn, then you focus in on it. I think that’s why I like abstract … I like to focus in on stuff.” Burton doesn’t like trees; she likes branches. She loves rust, simplicity, patterns and black and white, although you will also find a lot of colour in her photographs. “You have to dare to be different. Learn the rules and then break them.” Burton may photograph details, but she doesn’t sweat them. “Life is fun, if you want it to be,” she said. Her career has been a bit of a whirlwind, with photography developing from an idea to a best friend. After graduating from Brampton District High School and Brampton Business College, Burton was working for Urwick, Currie Limited management consultants. At the time, there was a shortage of business teachers in Toronto high schools. She went

to an interview – without a teaching degree – and was hired immediately on the condition she work toward a teaching degree while teaching business classes to secondary school students in Scarborough. Students used to refer to her as the “punk” teacher, a nickname she finds hilarious. But it’s not a far-off assessment of the artsy businesswoman with chunky blonde hair, a leather jacket and a love for classic cars. Burton majored in sociology at York University, where she took two photography courses. In her early days as a photographer, she took photos of people on Yonge Street in Toronto. She travelled with photographers, taking seminars in far-away places, devouring advice doled out by experienced photographers. She’s kept a print from her early days – a woman breastfeeding in the middle of the street in Mexico. “In Mexico, I spent a lot of time taking photos of children … and also roosters,” Burton said with a laugh. “I started out with

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portfolio|Lenore Burton

“Life is fun, if you want it to be,” people, and I really did like doing weddings.” She’s been to the Amazon River, the Chained Islands, cruising in Florida and is preparing for a photography trip to Norway this June. “You meet wonderful people in photography because you have the same interests,” said Burton, adding she takes most of her vacations on her own, joining workshops for the security of travelling around cities in numbers. Eventually Burton had a house, complete with a darkroom, built in Caledon. She’s still chagrined they had to convert it to a bedroom in order to sell the house, but photography is very much a digital world. It was the instant preview option that ultimately sold Burton on digital photography. 44 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

“I went digital because a group of us was photographing a little girl and those with digital were able to show (the girl) the image and say ‘see, you have to smile,’” she explained. Despite a nearly unlimited number of frames available on a memory card versus a roll of film, Burton doesn’t subscribe to the rapid-fire style of shooting that is possible on today’s cameras. “When I was trained, we went to Wonderland, and we could only take one image of each thing,” she said. “You had to watch the light.” She jokes that she takes her time getting a photo, and will still often take just a single frame of an image she’s composed in the viewfinder. “I’m not a bird photographer because I’m

not fast enough and they fly away,” she said, chuckling to herself. Burton eventually left her life in the city to move to Wasaga Beach “for the serenity.” “I used to go every night to the beach for the sunsets. On Sundays I loved taking photos of people kiteboarding.” Burton now volunteers for the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts and is one of the original members of the Georgian Bay Photography Club. “(Photography) is exciting. You see the world in a different way. You’re always looking and you see the beauty in the world … I tell myself that my camera is my best friend.” Burton’s first big photography show was in Creemore, and the exhibit featured her

“You have to dare to be different. Learn the rules and then break them.” photos matted and hung on a clothesline. The show was called Hanging Out with Lenore Burton. She has also built up a portfolio of classic car photography – hers are mostly parts of the cars instead of the entire vehicle. She used to ask the car’s owner what part was their favourite or held the most sentimental value – expecting a story about a steering wheel or a hood ornament. However, one day after asking the question, a car owner told her he favoured the back seat because that’s where he first made love to a woman. That was the last time she asked the question. Burton’s work has been featured in the distillery district, at Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, the Mad and Noisy gallery in Creemore, in Brampton and most recently at the Simcoe Street Theatre as part of an exhibit by the Georgian Bay Photography Club. The next show she will be part of is at the Collingwood Library this summer. Her work is permanently displayed at David Hillis Salon in Collingwood, The Cutting Edge in Wasaga Beach and at Wasaga Family Chiropractic. For more on Burton, visit her website at www.burtonphoto.ca.

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 45

drink|Wine

Expand your horizons Maybe you’ll find a new favourite wine

Antu 2014 Syrah Chile ($17.95 LCBO#675371) Years ago I was a fan of the Antu Syrah from Montgras, but it kind of lost its way the past few vintages. I’m happy to report that it’s back and better than ever: roasted coffee, mocha, black pepper, spiced-raspberry and above all a real nice meatiness that makes it a perfect barbecue red to have on hand all summer long at a price you can buy ... by the case. (¬¬¬¬+)

46 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

BY MICHAEL PINKUS

ne of the great things about wine is the chance for exploration – getting out of a rut and trying something completely new. Some of us find ourselves in a wine rut because we get lulled into continuously buying the same wine time and time again, or we are fearful that we “know nothing about wine” and therefore we should stick with something safe. I hate to say it but that’s a very “Molson-and-Labatt’s” attitude and it is something we Canadians developed throughout years of living with the beer giants. Let me explain ... Most of us grew up either drinking products made by one of the big Canadian breweries and it was only the “cool kids” that branched out with a Moosehead or a Creemore … but these days there’s a beer revolution going on and people aren’t happy drinking the same-old same-old. Craft beer is huge and it seems you can’t walk into a bar or restaurant these days without seeing a new name on one of the taps. The same can be said for wine and wine drinkers. Although this revolution has been going on a lot longer, it’s taken some time for us to catch up with it. Let’s face it, the LCBO isn’t exactly a leader in this department, and who can really blame them? They buy for an entire province and it’s only a small minority that wants to try something new … but if that minority turned into a majority, then we’d be seeing all kinds of interesting wines and regions coming out all the time. So I say, get out of your wine rut and try something you’re not completely comfortable with, or that you’ve never even heard of before! Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your next favourite. Michael Pinkus is a multi-award winning wine writer, past-president of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada and creator of the Grape Guy Events App. You can follow him through his website: MichaelPinkusWineReview.com

More Choice, More Space, More Service

Tommasi 2013 Masseria Surani Heracles Primitivo Italy ($17.95 LCBO#434274) Primitivo is the grape that became Zinfandel once it crossed the Atlantic and was planted in California – and here Tommasi has created the Italian version of Zin – with all its rich plum, black cherry, and mocha goodness – while adding an Italian twist: a little black licorice. There’s even some lovely white and black pepper on the spicy finish. At $18, you’d be hard pressed to find one of this quality from California. (¬¬¬¬)

La Braccesca 2012 Vino Nobilie di Montepulciano Italy ($24.95 LCBO#566216) La Braccesca is the property owned by Antinori in Montepulciano. It is a blend of 90 per cent Sangiovese (the grape responsible for Chianti) and 10 per cent Merlot (added to round out the edges). The result is a lush, black, fruited wine, full of blackberry, black cherry, cassis with a smoky/spicy finish with good acidity and will pair well with meats. (¬¬¬¬)

Tulip 2014 Just Cabernet Sauvignon Israel ($29.95 LCBO#440420) Cabernet Sauvignon is the kind of grape I would expect to flourish in the hot terrain of Israel and this wine does not disappoint: fruit forward with red and black fruit, hints of vanilla and a lovely spiced finish. (¬¬¬¬+)

Ad Lib 2014 Hen & Chicken Chardonnay Australia ($19.95 LCBO#297697) Australia is not my usual go-to place for Chardonnay, but this one has found a nice balance of fruit, oak and weight in the mouth: peach and apple kick things off, adding vanilla and a touch of floral before ending with a delightful creamy sensation. (¬¬¬¬)

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 47

Beauty Spot

NATURAL BEAUTY BY DANIELA DISTEFANO

Our food isn’t the only thing going organic these days. Thanks to sleek branding, celebrity endorsements and proven formulas, natural beauty products have shed their hempy, homespun health food store image and caught the attention of mainstream consumers. These naturally beautifying all-stars keep their ingredients as close to the earth as possible so you don’t have to put unnecessary chemicals, parabens or additives into your daily hair, makeup and skin routines. Curious where to start? Try any one of these products to kick-start your green beauty awakening this summer.

48 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

Consonant DHE Mask $45 | consonantskincare.com Mineral-rich Manicouagan clay from Quebec in this 100 per cent natural mask detoxifies and clarifies skin with the help of willow bark and tea tree extracts. The result ist brighter, healthier and younger looking skin from the very first use. Dr. Roebuck’s Cleanser $23 | Shoppers Drug Mart Reverse free radical damage and help delay your skin’s aging process with this natural cleanser. The six potent antioxidants calm and hydrate skin, plus it’s BPA and paraben-free.

North American Hemp Co. Line Lifting Face Cream $25 | well.ca Organic hemp seed oil has become one of the top trending natural ingredients in skin care for good reason. It absorbs quickly, is made in Canada and repairs and nourishes from environmental exposure to give your firmer and more radiant looking skin.

Jax Coco’s Organic Extra Virgin Centrifuged Coconut Oil $16.50 | amazon.com Coconut oil is the ultimate natural beauty all star, nourishing dry skin, softening cuticles, moisturizing chapped lips and adding shine to dull hair. This one is made from select certified, organic fair-trade coconuts from the Philippines.

Juicy Bamboo Natural Facial Cleansing Oil Cloths $15.50 | Hudson’s Bay Traditional cleansing cloths and wipes produce a lot of unnecessary waste, but we’ve found a 100 per cent biodegradable solution. Soaked in organic honey, jojoba oil, sunflower oil and eight essential citrus oils, every box of these non-toxic bamboo cloths will disappear in 90 days if they’re buried in soil. Neat!

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1-877-435-4336 367 Victoria St. East, Alliston www.teammacmurchy.com maggiem@ronanrealty.com MARILYN MACMURCHY www.teammacmurchy.com

MAGGIE MACMURCHY Sales Representative

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Office (705) 436-4336

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THINKING ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING?

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www.teammacmurchy.com GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 49

home tour|Muskoka

Contemporary Cottage BLENDS IN TO RUSTIC MUSKOKA STORY BY KIM GOGGINS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CANDICE MANASTERSKY

50 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 â&#x2013;

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early morning and the sun is inching its way above the mist suspended over the lake. A damp, earthy bouquet fills the air and the subtle lapping of water against the shoreline is the only movement perceived at this time of day.

The owners of this property have held on to and loved it for many years, anticipating the time when they could build their dream cottage on the rugged terrain, amongst the towering trees. This is traditional Muskoka in every sense and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why they chose this location for their retreat. But although they love the rustic nature of the property, they wanted a more contemporary design to their build. With the help of Catherine Staples, interior designer and owner of Catherine Staples Interiors, and contracting company Attainable Solutions, they were able to create a unique getaway that brings together the urban look they desired with more classic elements of cottage design. Tucked into the granite rock face that defines the property, the 2,000-square-foot, two-level cottage asserts a contemporary look in its exterior design, with multi-level, low-pitch roof lines and walls of windows framed in black on the lakeside, while at the same time, the grey cultured stone and cedar exterior offers a natural warmth that fits into its surroundings.

The open concept kitchen features a number of different lighting elements including track and pot lighting, as well as lighting inside the frosted glass cabinets and under the cabinets and pendant lights over the island to highlight workspace areas. GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 51

home tour|Muskoka

The flagstone terrace with fire pit area and outdoor kitchen are perfect outdoor gathering places for friends and family.

“It’s one thing to have it modern but it also needed to be incorporated into the landscape. That’s why we brought in the wood and the stone,” explains Staples. “I think the colour combination just fell into the landscape so beautifully.” Taking advantage of sightlines and the natural surroundings was key in the design of the cottage that boasts floor-to-ceiling windows in every room that faces the water. Upon walking into the foyer on the top level that overlooks the main floor, guests are treated to sweeping views of the lake through large windows in the Great Room that capture the morning sun. Grey slate floors and crisp white walls, combined with a tempered glass railing for the wooden staircase provide an urban look to the entryway, while a cedar accent wall and bucolic barn door leading to laundry facilities offer a warmth to the area. “The (tempered glass) was chosen for its 52 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

modern style and adding the wood handrail on top gives it a warmer feeling,” notes Staples. “The glass also opens up the Great Room (below) so it’s not as busy.” Contrasting the look and texture of materials is an integral part of the design of the cottage, where smooth white walls and grey slate floors are offset by rustic elements such as tongue-and-groove ceilings, wooden accent walls and custom-made wooden doors throughout. The Great Room encapsulates this strategy well with large frameless windows that cover a bright white wall on the lakeside. “We didn’t put window frames around any of the windows,” explains Staples. “It’s just a drywall return to give (them) a more contemporary look.” An imposing floor-to-ceiling grey slate gas fireplace, flanked by warm-toned wooden walls on each side, boasts a thick slab of live-edge pine atop the stone hearth to soft-

The cultured stone and cedar siding gives a Muskoka warmth to this modern cottage design.

“

Taking advantage of sightlines and the natural surroundings was key in the design of the cottage that boasts floor-toceiling windows in every room that faces the water.”

en the look and give a warmth to the room, which also has grey slate tile on the floor. “The tile we used for the fireplace façade is very close to the tile on the floor but it has a slightly different tone and different style,” recalls Dwayne Hutchins, a project manager for Attainable Solutions. “It’s got variations in size and texture and we bumped it out to give it more texture rather than a smooth face.” The six-by-35-inch slate floor tiles that are featured throughout most of the lower level are an effective conduit for the hydronic heating system, but are also cool on the feet in the summer and low maintenance. They were chosen for practicality, notes Staples, but also offer a nice contrast to the white walls and wooden accents. This distinction is especially apparent in the kitchen where smooth white upper cabinets and white quartz countertops create a clean, modern look and complement the large, five-by-almost-10-foot island that is made almost entirely of quartz. In an area where functionality is key, the island also incorporates plenty of storage, dishwasher and large, apron front stainless sink. To aid in food prep, a smaller sink is located on the main counter. The Thermador stainless steel appliances include refrigerator with glassfront wine fridge attached, convection speed oven, warming drawer and dishwasher. “This is a great cooking and entertaining kitchen,” says Staples, noting it was not only important for the family to have a functional large kitchen inside, but outside, as well. “We created a window that they could use to pass through food from the indoor kitchen to the outdoor. (The outdoor kitchen) also incorporates a bar area so they can linger while someone is cooking.” Like the indoor kitchen, the food prep space outside is made of white quartz, but

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Delicious • Healthy • Simple GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 53

home tour|Muskoka

Cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows in the Great Room don’t take away from the intimacy of the space. All of the furniture in this room was designed by Catherine Staples Interiors and built by Lee Industries. The paddles seen on the wall (foreground) have been in the family for years.

also has an impressive live-edge pine bar top. The covered space includes a sub-zero beverage refrigerator, stainless steel sink and built-in Wolf gas barbecue. Across the flagstone terrace is a large fire pit area surrounded by Muskoka chairs, just a stone’s throw from the water’s edge. It’s the perfect area for outdoor entertaining but for those who want to get out of the bugs and inclement weather, the screened Muskoka Room, off the kitchen, is where Staples expects family and friends will gather often. This is the only room in the cottage where traditional Muskoka elements are prominent, with wooden window frames 54 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

and a pitched wooden ceiling painted in white that evokes a coastal feel. Teak furniture, designed by Staples’ team and built by Lee Industries, along with a refurbished card table and chairs, further enhance this atmosphere. While the four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath cottage was built to accommodate large gatherings in its principal areas, the upstairs den, at the opposite end from the Muskoka Room, offers an area for individual pursuits or smaller groups with a cosy deck overlooking the water. This space is down the hall from the three children’s rooms and also acts as a guest room. Below, a haven within the Muskoka re-

treat has been created for the owners. The couple’s master suite is tucked behind the Great Room on the main level to provide privacy. The white ceiling and walls, as well as the clean lines of the windows in this intimate space, are contrasted by hardwood floors and an accent wall made of rough sawn wood painted ‘iron mountain grey’ with fireplace insert. French doors blend with the large windows and lead to a flagstone patio overlooking the lake. Like much of the furniture in the cottage, the pine headboard was designed by Staples. “We wanted to bring a little bit more of that wood element in again to give it character and warmth,” she notes. “The

Large French doors blend with the windows and lead to a flagstone terrace overlooking the lake. The wall on the other side of the window features a high transom window into the master bath.

“

In creating this family’s dream cottage – when creating any cottage - Staples says functionality is always a cornerstone of her design but it’s also important to think about how the needs of the family will change in the future.” Thick live-edge pine was used on the hearth to give warmth to the massive grey slate fireplace. Beneath it, the doors are vented and there is space to store electronic equipment.

Vaulted ceilings and massive windows allow impressive views of the lake and property from the foyer when you walk in.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 55

home tour|Muskoka grey painted side tables are suspended on the wood headboard and I brought in the sparkle of sconces.” A transom window high up on the wall opposite to the wall of windows in the bedroom draws natural light into the master ensuite on the other side. This washroom is bathed in pale greyish-beige tile and white walls to provide a simple pallet. The seamless glass shower and stand-alone tub on one side are offset by a dark vanity with white quartz counter with sunken sink on the other side. Minimalism is also a key component to the main washroom upstairs, where a stand-alone tub against white walls creates a modest look. Instead of different colours, Staples looks to the different textures of the white subway tile and smooth walls for simplicity. Contrasting dark slate floors and dark cabinetry enhance the space and make it welcoming to family and guests. In creating this family’s dream cottage – when creating any cottage – Staples says functionality is always a cornerstone of her design but it’s also important to think about how the needs of the family will change in the future. “We were thinking long term for this family. Right now, there are no grandchildren but their family is going to grow over time. The couple is planning to retire there and it could possibly become their permanent home,” says Staples, who is a cottager, herself. “It’s important to design cottages with the future in mind. It helps to think long term because needs will change.”

While the cottage is open concept, distinctive areas such as kitchen and dining are created with a lower ceiling height than the Great Room. The dining area boasts a custom-made birch table and low maintenance black chairs that match the chairs at the kitchen island. Again, the key is practicality and these chairs are perfect for wet bathing suits.

56 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 57

travel|Louisiana

BY HOLLY CRAWFORD

isiting Louisiana for one of its most boisterous attractions – the storied city of New Orleans – is certainly worth the trip, but so many secrets lay just beyond. Century-old Cypress trees, moss-laden Oaks, eerily still swamps and swish old estates hold the secrets of a time gone by, and lay just a short trip down the Mississippi.

The area referred to as “Plantation Country” encompasses three parishes: St. Charles, St. John and St. James, placed neatly between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. There are 10 properties to explore, each with its own unique tale to tell. Many, you may already have caught a glimpse of as a supporting character on the big or small screen. During our Louisiana long weekend, we visited three, for a tantalizing taste of classic southern hospitality. »

58 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

Louisianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

GREAT

R I V E R

R O A D

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 59

travel|Louisiana

Clockwise from top of page: The infamous alley of oaks at Oak Alley Plantation. An interior of the “Big House” at Oak Alley. An interior at Houmas House. The exterior of Houmas House from above, and the stately front of Houmas House through the live oak branches. The recreated slave quarters at Oak Alley Plantation.

60 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION This is surely the grand dame of the plantations of Louisiana. The vista looking down the long walkway to the two-storey, columned porches of Oak Alley is surely one you’ll remember from the silver screen. Live oaks line both sides of the walkway, their arms outstretched and forming a living embrace that graciously welcomes visitors through the gate and to the front door. The distinguished row of trees for which the home is named, are more than 300 years old. The iconic quarter mile is made up of 28 Virginia live oaks, planted in two equal rows, 80-feet apart. The live oak, noted for its hardiness and stately stature, is so named because it is an evergreen, shedding its leaves only as new ones emerge. It is considered one of the most beautiful trees in North America, and is a symbol of the elegance of the old south. This is the panoramic view you will have noticed as Brad Pitt rode his mount under the trees in Interview with the Vampire; and it’s Oak Alley’s own trees and sugar cane fields that played stage to Matthew Mcconaughey and Woody Harrelson’s characters in True Detective. Oak Alley was built in a time when the sugar industry was booming, and sugar cane plantations and their stately homes lined the Mississippi River. One of the plantations in St. James Parish originally owned by the Roman family, Oak Alley has had the good fortune to have fallen into hands over that years that saw her refurbished and updated, while maintaining all the historic detail and charm she had when she was built. Now cared for by a trust, you can explore the “Big House” as well as recreated slave quarters, paying homage to the reality that made plantations like this prosper. A popular tourist destination, you can also experience recreations of a Confederate officer’s tent and 25 other selfinterpretive areas. Tours of the “Big House” are ticketed and guided, arrive early to buy your ticket, so there’s time to indulge in a pre-tour Mint Julep at the cafe.

HOUMAS HOUSE While the home at Houmas is surely beautiful you can spend your entire visit here exploring the lush gardens.

P R E S E N T S

SUMMER 2016 STAG AND DOE BY MARK CRAWFORD

WICHITA LINEMAN

THE MUSIC OF GLEN CAMPBELL

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HERE ON THE FLIGHT PATH BY NORM FOSTER

BENEATH SPRINGHILL: THE MAURICE RUDDICK STORY

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A LITTLE WINE, A LITTLE PAINT, AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN... GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 61

travel|Louisiana

The entrance gates of Houmas House.

The current owner is Kevin Kelly, a man who fulfilled a lifelong dream by acquiring the property in 2003. He has carefully cared for Houmas House, so that the mansion today reflects the best parts of each period in its rich history alongside the big bend in the Mississippi River. By the time of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the plantation was established and producing sugar. Construction on the mansion began about 1810 and was completed in 1828. By that time Houmas House began to increase land holdings, eventually growing to more than 300,000 acres. Described in its heyday as “The Sugar Palace,” an original French Provincial style home that was erected on the property became living quarters for the staff that served the great house. Connected by a carriageway to the mansion, it is but one of many features of the property to explore. The Gardens of Houmas House Plantation are where the tour begins and ends, are a popular spot for photographers and

62 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

A view of the church at Whitney Plantation.

demand a leisurely stroll, at the pace demanded by a sultry southern afternoon. The gardens boast a lush 38-acres, dotted by fountains and statues, ponds and exotic plants. You’ll likely come to pass by the gardener if you stroll the right path, undoubtedly followed by one of the owner’s dogs. If you want to retire for the evening in the style of a sugar baron, you can spend the night at Houmas. A row of cottages is nestled along an alley of ancient oak trees with a view of the world famous gardens, the breeze from the Mississippi cooling the night air.

place and the lives of those who worked its fields. Inside the Antioch Baptist Church, donated to the Whitney Plantation, is where you will first see one of the 40 statues of slave children that inhabit the Whitney. The statues, created by artist Woodrow Nash, depict the reality that many children were among the slaves, and serve as a reminder that slavery effected families and generations of those who helped make plantations thrive. The Whitney property includes a restored “Big House,” in French Creole style, and is one of the best-preserved Creole plantation houses standing on River Road.

WHITNEY PLANTATION Opened in 2014, the Whitney Plantation is the only plantation museum that tells the story of the slaves of Louisiana. There is a hushed reverence to this place, unlike the bustle of the other plantations. The tour begins at the simple, white painted church with a film about the history of the

IF YOU GO: neworleansplantationcountry.com oakalleyplantation.com houmashouse.com whitneyplantation.com

in the crowd

Simcoe Home Show

Hundreds of people took a tour through the South Simcoe Home Show held at the New Tecumseth Recreation Complex in Alliston. The annual show is hosted by the Alliston and District Chamber of Commerce.

photos by paul chambers

1. Marcus and Crystal Husbands 2. Samantha and Michelle Caughey 3. Daniel Beauchemin and Ashley Armstrong 4. Amanda, Tristan, and Makeda Machesney with Irene Gauthier

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5. Andrew, Cassandra and Evelyn Macauley 6. Renee and Jacob Coughlan 7. Jenny Walton and Margaret Walker 8. Justin, Aiden and Brian Rasmussen 9. Sandra Barker with her daughters Emma and Sara 10. Kim Ytsma with John and Doreen Horlings

64 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 â&#x2013;

in the crowd

The 19th Annual Business Excellence Awards put outstanding businesses in the spotlight. The awards ceremony was hosted by Adjala-Tosorontio in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures, a community economic development agency serving South Simcoe.

photos by REID HEIKAMP 1. John Munnoch and Bob Macgregor of Adjala Credit Union Limited were recognized for community support and leadership.

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2. Tina and Kate Vander Zaag of the Circle Theatre were presented the Business Excellence Award. Also pictured are New Tecumseth councillors Donna Jebb, Michael Beattie and J.J. Paul Whiteside. 3. Winner of the excellence award for new business was That Wheel and Tire Shop Inc.’s Greg and Elsie Kniff. Kniff was also the recipient of the Entrepreneur of The Year Award. 4. The Junior Youth Entrepreneur Award was won by Daniel Martin of Adjala-Tosorontio. He is seen here with Mary Small Brett, Scott Anderson, Dave Rose and Floyd Pinto. 5. Kayla Kors of Crumbs Bake Shoppe, Bradford was awarded honourable mention for the Youth Entrepreneur Award. 6. Recipients of the Agricultural Award were Sheldon Creek Dairy ‑ John and Bonnie den Haan, Marianne Edward and Emily den Haan. 7. The Youth Entrepreneur Award was presented to Dr. Irma VanAndel owner of Kinnect Studio, Bradford. 8. Peter and Sandy Dickey of Dickey Bee Honey Inc., Innisfil was presented with the Green Transition Award. 9. Jack D’Amico of Canadian Tire Alliston won the Quality Award for Large Business. 10. Eric Vant Spyker of Trillium Ford Lincoln Ltd. Alliston received the Quality Award for Medium Business. 11. The quality award for small business was won by Brittany Buck of Brittany Buck Hair & Beauty Boutique. 12. The quality award for Micro Business was won by Dreamwinds Equine Assisted Learning Centre, Tracey Evanas and Dirk Tews.

66 | GoodLife South Simcoe Summer 2016 ■

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