GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

ALLISTON | TOTTENHAM | BEETON | THORNTON | MANSFIELD | ROSEMONT | EVERETT | UTOPIA

FALL 2017 GOODLIFE SOUTH SIMCOE EDITION

PLANNING THE PERFECT HOME Designer Madison Taylor shares her insights

FALL FOR FLAVOUR

Hearty recipes, sweet treats & more

GLSS COVER Fall2017 REV.indd 1

Plus:

PLANETL FRIENDLY LOCA SHOPPING!

17-09-15 3:30 PM

Kelly McCague Sales Representative

www.kellymccague.com

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

ATTRACTIVE BUNGALOW

With convenient mn flr laundry room & interior access to garage, eat-in kitchen with walkout to deck & mature trees. Open concept living/dining area. Generous master bedrm & 2 closets. Finished lower level with 3-pc bathroom. Windows, furnace, central air & garage door have all been replaced recently. Well situated in Green Briar lifestyle community.

OffERED AT $469,500 MLS# N3879483

VICTORIA PLACE MAIN fLOOR 2 bedrm, 2 bathrm condominium suite with underground parking. Constructed in 2015 this 1062 sf model offers 6 appliance incl 4 stainless steel, Torly’s Smart Flooring, quartz counters, 9’ ceilings in majority of area, walkout to patio with convenient access to front entrance.

OffERED AT $359,000 MLS# N3905139

Call me and we can discuss marketing your property for the value you deserve...

Providing dedicated real estate service in Simcoe and Dufferin Counties since 1989!

CALL DIRECT 705-321-7295 RCR Realty, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

705-435-3000 toll free 866-772-5368

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.

Concerned about the markets?

Get an expert second opinion on your portfolio

If market volatility is making you second-guess your investments, contact us today for a free, objective evaluation of your portfolio.

An unbiased review can help you answer key questions including: • Is your portfolio on the right track?

• Are you taking too much risk in your portfolio?

Mary Poeta, FMA, FCSI, CIWM Wealth Advisor 705-725-7423 mary.poeta@rbc.com Mary Poeta, FMA, FCSI, CIWM RBC Dominion Wealth AdvisorSecurities 11 Victoria St. Suite 100 705-725-7423 Barrie, ON mary.poeta@rbc.com

• Which investments are likely to recover – and which ones aren’t?

Call today for your free second opinion service.

www.marypoeta.com RBC Dominion Securities 11 Victoria St. Suite 100 Barrie, ON www.marypoeta.com RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © 2017 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 17_90541_GCT_003

contents FA L L 2 01 7

in every issue 9

Living well

News, tips and fun facts

32 WINTER READY YOUR GARDEN

Prep now for a beautiful spring garden

Nicolston Dam

home 16 Perfection is in

the planning

Designer Madison Taylor shares how she helped create the ideal home, from start to finish

28 WARMING TREND

Easy ways to up your home's cozy factor

30 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

A "to-do" list to ward off cold, wet problems later

4 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

58 travel smarts

How to save for a vacation

60 Going guanacaste

66 like a local

Travel

Food & drink 38 In the kitchen with...

Tea at the Corner

Beaches, forests, wetlands — this breath-taking region of Costa Rica has it all

features

46 rediscover

fresh fall fare

50 REPURPOSED WITH STYLE

Three deliciously different recipes to try

Halliday House & Co. - an

eclectic new décor shop in Cookstown

44 Oh, Canadians

64 autumn’s gift

These homegrown pros create beautiful wines elsewhere

A look at this year’s Images Thanksgiving Tour

Find the recipe on p.43

ROB MCDONOUGH SALES REPRESENTATIVE

TEAM

Dir: 416-294-3157 • Off: 905-936-3500

ROB@ROBMCDONOUGH.CA • WWW.ROBMCDONOUGH.CA

Chay Realty Inc. Brokerage

5854 Concession Rd 2, Everett

5132 6th Line, New Tecumseth

8521 10th Sideroad, Loretto

Restored To Original Victorian Glory. This 150 Acre Farm Has it All With Plenty of Workable Land, Forest, Multiple Out Buildings and Views For Miles. $1,695,000. RobMcDonough.ca

Elegantly Renovated Bungalow 10 ac with Geothermal Heating/Cooling and Solar Panel Revenue From Your Own Roof. $1,079,000. RobMcDonough.ca

Pristine Log Home on 25 Acres with a Complimenting 5 Car Garage/Workshop/Office/Aux Residence, Clear,Treed, Pool and Stream. $1,195,000. RobMcDonough.ca

2939 Concession Rd 4, Loretto

2589 Concession Rd 4, Loretto

9160 25th Sideroad, Alliston

10 acres of Wildlife,Country Trails, Rolling Hills, Trees, Meadow & Pond. All Just Outside Your Front Door! Raised Bungalow Style 4 Bdrm Home, Long Paved Driveways, Heated, Insulated Workshop & Fenced Area For Dogs. $949,900. RobMcDonough.ca

Great Opportunity to own a 10 acre Private Property. The Bungalow has a finished basement w/Kitchen for extended family and large garage/workshop. $824,900. RobMcDonough.ca

Hill Top Log Home With Private 834 Foot Frontage, on 2.5 Acres, Heated 4 Car Garage/Workshop, Fully Finished Walk Out Basement. $895,000. RobMcDonough.ca

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 5

editor’s note

GOODLIFE GOODLIFE Publisher Dana Robbins

Regional General Manager Simcoe - York - Muskoka Shaun Sauve General Manager Simcoe Elise Allain

Fall Forward For those of us who consider September the “real New Year,” this is the ideal time to try something new, and in this issue, you’re sure to find some great ideas.

If you want to make the most of the fall weather, start prepping your home for cold weather to come. Starting on page 28 we have some suggestions for the to-do list as well as some simple designer secrets to cozy up the inside of your space for winter. Craving a little adventure? Flip to page 60 to discover why Costa Rica might be just right for you.

Perhaps the simplest change is just to mix up your go-to menu with some of fall’s fabulous produce. We’ve got some unusually delicious recipes, beginning on page 46, to get you started.

For something completely different, why not treat yourself to a leisurely tea and sweet at Tea at the Corner, located in one of the areas historical mansions.

Read about what inspired owner Lorna Duggan to bring this leisurely café to Alliston— and what it is that keeps customers coming back. Bonus: Duggan also shares one of her mouthwatering recipes.

And no issue would be complete without an inside look at some of the area’s gorgeous homes. Flip to pages 16 for a designer showcase home in Innisfil.

We’re sure you’ll like what you see.

Jacqueline Kovacs

Editor Jacqueline Kovacs Copy Editor Deanna Dority Advertising Manager Angela Makaroff Graphic Design Nick Bornino LuAnne Turner Jennifer Dallman Brenda Boon Advertising Representatives Beth Wink Shalani Ingham Debbie Booth Christine Murray Mary March Stacey MacDonald Debbie Halikas Carolyn Brayiannis Shannon Dunlop Vic Dellamora Photography Contributions Jim Craigmyle, Mike Guilbault Photography, Ellie Kistemaker, Julie Miguel Editorial Contributions Leigh Blenkhorn, Liz Bruckner, Katherine Elphick, Andrea Karr, Julie Miguel, Rachel Naud, Dawn Ritchie, Doug Wallace

169 Dufferin St., Alliston, ON L9R 1E6 Phone: 705-435-6228 Fax: 705-435-3342 First Place

T hre e th in g s I love from this issue…

Statements opinions and points of view expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher, advertisers or GoodLife.

GoodLife South Simcoe is published four times per year: spring, summer, fall and winter.

For further information regarding all our products, we invite you to call us at 705-435-6228.

For advertising inquiries, please email: amakaroff@simcoe.com or goodlife@simcoe.com or call 705-435-6228

Halliday House & Co. page 51.

6 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Going Guanacaste See page 60.

Images Studio Tour See page 64.

Digital Edition: goodlifemagazine.ca Follow us: twitter.com/goodlifebarrie

Real Estate

CounTRY PRoPeRTIeS – BuYIng / SellIng Rob McDonough Sales Representative

Remax Chay Realty Tottenham 905-936-3500 416-294-3157

robmcdonough.ca

Well it’s that time again and I had mentioned in my last edition that I was contemplating writing about “Down Sizing” but was distracted by the Market Movement at the time. So now that our Market has done what I believe is most of it’s correcting lets get focused again on this topic.

A lot of my Seller Clients tend to be older. The Country/Farm Properties that I sell tend to have long standing proud owners. In fact with some of my Farms the properties have been in their families for generations. This particular group of sellers form a Demographic that are facing sooner or later the notion of “Down Sizing”.

Q. What is “Down Sizing”?

The notion refers broadly to the going from something larger into something smaller. This could mean you are considering a smaller physical size; say either house or property or it could mean you are considering having a smaller Financial commitment in your property.

Q. Is “Down Sizing” Inevitable?

No, not necessarily, but as time goes on it may become a practical thing to consider. Having said that if you enjoy the luxury of financial strength then you may be able to withhold from being practical a lot longer then most, perhaps even ultimately. But even then you may want to consider preserving your savings.......after all we are living a lot longer now.

Q. How Will I know If “Down Sizing” is for me?

First and foremost comes your Physical capacity. Of course as we get older it becomes harder to maintain a large property and/or home. We just don’t have the same energy as when we were younger. You could always hire others to do the work, but that starts to eat into your savings. Sometimes it also becomes hard to find useful help...at any price!

Another consideration is Financial. In todays world of low interest rates savers are being squeezed by low yields on their savings. Pensioners on Fixed Incomes see only their costs rising not their incomes.

Something has to give! Selling your property for more money than the one you purchase will bolster your savings, income and security. It will also mitigate your exposure to any down side in the Real Estate Market.

And lastly as I have mentioned Practicality. Do you really need to heat and clean all that extra space that never gets used. Whether you can afford to or not maybe it is just dumb! As well, think of all the extra time you will have in your new smaller place/property.

Instead of cutting grass, weeding gardens, shovelling snow......you could be travelling, relaxing or pursuing other passions you previously never had time for.

Q. What Should I buy?

Start by thinking of all the positive things you like about your current property. Things such as Location, Privacy, Views, Layout...........now search for similar things in a smaller package. You may have to compromise on somethings, especially on location should your finances dictate, but hey it gives you a start. Next add to that thought the notion of what you want the next chapter of your life to look like? What type of property will help turn that vision into a reality.

As in life focus on the positives, be excited by the thought of simplifying your life, creating more time for yourselves and of course the financial freedom that such a move may bring. As I have said before when it comes to our choice in housing we are generally governed by our position in our life cycle. Make this change exciting and refreshing!

Q. Do You Have Any Tips About Such A Process?

Yes I have done many, many such moves in my career, actually it is somewhat of a specialty. This is one of, if not the most important and emotional changes you will under go in your lifetime, go slowly and take it carefully. From the start you should interview several Realtors. Ask the bold questions; How will you sell my property? Why are you better then someone else? Why are you uniquely qualified to meet our needs? How will you deliver the most money for us? While you are interviewing assess the fit with your Realtor. Will he or she be committed? Will they take the necessary time? Are they competent?

Are we comfortable with them? Do we trust them to look after our interests? Once you have chosen your Realtor partner then you can fully embrace the journey that “Down Sizing” will bring to you........more selfish time, more money, and a more simplified life.....all goods reasons to move forward!!!

of South Simcoe

Kitchens • Vanities • Closets • Bars • Built-Ins

COMPLETE KITCHEN

& BATH DESIGN ALL UNDER ONE ROOF

GRANITE • QUARTZ • WALL & FLOOR TILES • FIXTURES

Complimentary In-Home Consultations • In-House Contractors & Designers

Julia Fox 705-434-0000 • Mark Gurski cell 905-801-5147 4941 Dean Dr, Unit C, Alliston • www.thegranitecompany.ca

Wendy Small Sales Representative Representa

Call me for your complimentary home evaluation!

wendysmall@royallepage.ca • www.wendysmall.com

52 riverview rd., alliston

Million dollar view!

Just imagine taking in this view every day! Backing onto the 9th tee, this home in gorgeous Green Briar has to be seen! The updated, bright, sunny home with 3 walk outs, sits tucked back on Riverview Rd overlooking the Nottawasaga River. Among the long list of highlights, the home offers an updated kitchen, generous living & dining room spaces, and a large master suite with 2 oversized walk-in closets & a 5 piece ensuite. Add to the list the den with a fireplace & walk out to a deck, the main floor office, and a beautifully finished lower level with a large guest bedroom, 3 piece bath, an updated fireplace & a walk out to a patio. The roof was new in 2016 and both the furnace and AC are newer as well. The home is within walking distance to restaurants, golf, fitness, swimming and the Community Centre.

You won’t be disappointed! This home shows 10+++

RCR Realty, Brokerage

Independently Owned & Operated

8 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Helping you is what we do.

Office 705.435.3000 Direct 905.724.0717

living well

What’s for Dinner?

Come fall, when work and school schedules kick back in, mealtime can get a little routine, too.

But the Dietitians of Canada is making it easy to get out of the dinnertime rut with a free ebook of recipes inspired by the flavours of Canada. In its 30 pages, Celebrate Canadian Food: In the Kitchen With Canada’s Dietitians features such recipes as pickerel cakes, Saskatchewan wild rice and mushroom soup, baked candied salmon and even DIY Buddha bowls.

Each recipe also includes the author’s social media contact information so that you can connect with them, try the recipes and share your delicious results on social media, using the hashtag #RDkitchenparty. The food fun awaits at https://view.joomag.com/celebrate-canadian-food-dietitiancanada150-ebookf/0505253001498662198?short.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 9

living well | Home

Warming TREND Want to add a little warmth to your home? No, we’re not suggesting turning up the furnace or getting a fire going. Instead, create a cozy ambience by incorporating shades of metallic to give your house that warm, fall feeling.

This season, cool, brushed metals are being set aside for matte, warm ones like bronze and gold, which are are gaining in popularity on the home decor scene and will lend a touch of sophistication to any space. Plus, they are a great complement to the hot, new navy blues and tried-and-true grey palettes that are trending in 2017. Think of it as a golden opportunity to try something new.

— Rachel Naud A hit of bronze or gold combined with trendy navy is an easy way to add a touch of warmth to your home.

Show Your Lawn Some Love Your lawn has had a busy few months: rainy spring, spotty summer, maybe a fair bit of foot traffic. So show it some love before the snow falls with a little pre-emptive upkeep. One simple step, says Bob Stanford, sales and account manager for the Ground Guys in Barrie, can help prevent snow mould — mowing.

“Typically, you want to cut your grass shorter than normal — about an inch to an inch and a half,” he says. “It’ll help stave off snow mould and winter damage.” What else can you do? Stanford advises applying a good fall fertilizer late in the season. This will give your lawn the nutrients it needs over the winter for a lush look come spring. — R.N.

Pumpkin Pleasers Put more treat in trick-or-treating with these battery-powered LED Mercury Pumpkin Glimmer Strings lights from Pier 1. Hang them along door frames or banisters, or weave them through wreathes and centrepieces for a quick hit of glam to your Halloween gathering. $29.95, pier1.com — R.N.

Retro Vibes Want to add a little retro fun to your great indoors this fall? Spin a favourite vinyl record on this portable turntable, available in red or blue.

Innovative Technology Bluetooth Nostalgic Portable Vintage Suitcase Turntable, $79.95, walmart.ca

10 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

living well | Food & Drink

A Is for AWESOME! Fall in Simcoe Region is spectacular from September right through to first snow, and the Apple Harvest Festival is a great way to take it in. Spread over three days (Oct. 7-9) and three locations — Blue Mountain Village, Thornbury and Clarksburg — the festival is a jam-packed schedule of fall-time family fun, food and fresh air. Enjoy interactive dance, music and storytelling, take part in pie-eating contests or go for a nature walks. Get up-close-and-personal with some amazing birds of prey or take in a little magic. It’s all free.

And when it’s time to slow down, visit the appleharvestfestival.ca, download the maps and set off on a self-guided fall colour drive or hit the Apple Pie Trail. — Signe Langford

Words to EAT By

“Voula has a way with words, an eye for beauty, and a consuming passion for cooking delicious food without fuss.”

MARION KANE Food

Sleuth®, writer, broadcaster, cook

•

mor e

th an

0 15 ipes rec •

CA I ROS NT PRESS

Voula Halliday

No more excuses! Toronto-based chef and author Voula Halliday has put together more than 150 easy-to-make recipes along with tips and pantry lists so you can easily eat at home. With pretty photos to whet the appetite and inspire, Halliday offers plenty of variations — many recipes can be made meatless in a snap — as well as tasty ways to use up leftovers, all in a compact cookbook.

What is the chef herself up to this fall? “Knowing that fall harvest will bring my favourite foods in abundance means that I am busy organizing my preserving schedule,” she says. “We prepare canned tomatoes, we grill peppers by the bushel for the freezer, and we make chutney and relish from anything that works well, including beets, apples and onions. This year, I plan to add something new to the mix — it’s an Appalachian sour corn recipe.”

Eat at Home, Voula Halliday, Cast Iron Press, $34 — S.L.

Extending an Olive Branch…

North!

We were delighted (and surprised) to learn that not only can olive trees thrive in Canada, but we can even enjoy our own homegrown olive oil. Back in 2000, George and Seri Braun planted 3,000 hardy olive trees on their Salt Spring Island farm, but it wasn’t until last December that their waiting and tending paid off with a harvest of more than 1,000 pounds of green olives. Within minutes of being picked, the olives were pressed into delicious, healthy oil. The Olive Farm is already sold out of its first pressing, but the Brauns are taking orders for this year’s harvest. theolivefarm.ca — S.L.

In a PICKLE? Eating fermented foods — such as sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha — continues to grow in popularity. Besides the taste, fermented foods promote healthy gut flora, gastric acidity and a boosted immune system. The problem is, many store-bought fermented foods have been pasteurized, which kills the good bacteria and therefore the associated health benefits. Home fermenting is the answer, of course, but if the thought of an antique stoneware crock the size of a laundry hamper bubbling away in the corner gives you a case of the nerves, we understand. And we have a solution. These stylish, modern jars from Montreal’s Mortier Pilon are just the right look and size to get you started on the path to do-it-yourself fermenting.

Mortierpilon.com — S.L. GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 11

living well | Health

As temperatures dip, we all start shutting the windows — and closing in the dust.

In case you could use some motivation to stay on top of those bunnies, consider this: A new study from Duke University says that house dust might actually be making us fat.

New findings published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology report that exposure to the endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs (found in everyday household products like cosmetics, cleaning products and food packaging) may disrupt our metabolism, triggering an increase in body fat. House dust tends to harbour EDCs, prolonging our exposure to the chemicals. — Karen Robock

A Coffee (or Three) a Day For many of us, there’s nothing like that morning cup of joe to get a perked-up start to the day. But now it seems caffeine worshippers may wind up with more days in their lives to enjoy than those who don’t drink coffee.

Scientists have identified a link between daily coffee intake and a reduced risk of death from a whole host of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, stroke and kidney disease. U.S. researchers analyzed the data of 185,855 adults between the ages of 45 and 75, followed for an average of 16 years, and found an 18 per cent lower mortality risk in those who drank three cups of coffee a day. “Coffee contains a lot of antioxidants and phenolic compounds that play an important role in cancer prevention,” says lead study author Veronica W. Setiawan of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California “Although this study does not show causation or point to what chemicals in coffee may have this ‘elixir effect,’ it is clear that coffee can be incorporated into a healthy diet and lifestyle.” — K.R.

Give your morning coffee (and your counter) a fall update! Set of 4 espresso cups with stand, $7.99 at HomeSense.

Get Outside — YOUR Way Think of it as the Spotify for outdoor activity. GoodTimesOutside.ca, the new site by MEC, Canada’s go-to retailer for outdoor gear, sorts activities by ability, vibe, location and more, inspiring people to explore nearby parks, lakes and trails. “Being active outside is incredibly beneficial for people’s physical and mental health,” says David Labistour, CEO of MEC. Whether you’re into canoeing, camping or hiking, fall is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors. — K.R.

12 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Take a Turn Better health can be just a cha-cha away. Dancing is a fun form of exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Every style, from ballet to ballroom, helps strengthen muscles, improves heart and lungs and increases agility. If that’s not enough, memorizing steps or learning a new style of dance improves cognitive functioning, too. If you’ve never tried Latin dancing, you can get a workout for your body and your brain every other Friday night at the Army, Navy and Air Force Club in Barrie, where there are salsa lessons for just $5. Call (705) 241-1650 for more info. — K.R.

living well | Travel

Stopover: Miami Beach, Florida

Photo: Paul McCossin

Heading to the Caribbean? Rather than just switching planes in Miami, why not stick around for a few nights? Spend an afternoon milling about the galleries — and fun graffiti — in the Wynwood Arts District. Though many have left for cheaper ground, their spaces have been replaced by cool shops like Shinola and Base, plus a few great cafés and restaurants.

Near Wynwood is the chic Design District, full of big names like Givenchy, Rick Owens, Lanvin, Martin Margiela, Hermès, Tom Ford and more.

The authentic Cuban vibe of Calle Ocho in Little Havana is a perfect preCaribbean pit stop, with its coffee counters, beauty parlours, gift shops and bakeries.

And, of course, you’ll need to get your pre-tan on at South Beach, so you don’t land in the Caribbean with a blindingly white belly. While you’re there, grab a cocktail at one or more of the heavyweight hotels like the Edition, the Delano, the Sagamore (which has its own very cool art collection), 1 Hotel and the new Faena Hotel. — Doug Wallace

Canada’s

Travel Essential: Gear UP The Travelpro Crew 11 21" Carry-On Spinner is our new go-to bag, coming complete with an exterior USB port that lets you power up on the go (battery not included). The real value, though, is the wobble-proof handle and easy steering: While most luggage has a mind of its own, this one’s selfaligning magnetic wheels make it easier to weave through crowded airport lines with your hands full. $270, thebay.com, holiday.ca — D.W.

Top 5 Favourite

International Cities

• New York City • Las Vegas • London • Paris • Orlando (Source: Hotels.com)

Turndown:

The Hoxton, Holborn, London, U.K. There are so many hotels in London it makes your head spin. Ditto the prices. So the smart money is on finding the best value, and the 174-room Hoxton, Holborn ticks all the boxes and more. The key here is the excellent location: You’ll save a fortune on cabs with so much within walking distance, including Oxford Street and Soho, the West End theatres and Covent Garden; the Holborn tube station is just down the street. The area has plenty of bars and restaurants to check out, including the hotel’s Hubbard & Bell. The rooms are super-functional with a refreshing yet quirky design — retro light fixtures, cheeky toile wallpaper, salon-style artwork, leather accents. Freebies include Wi-Fi and international calls, plus a breakfast bag hung on the doorknob in the morning with bananas, yogurt, granola and OJ. From $400, thehoxton.com — D.W. GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 13

Thanksgiving Weekend October 6-9, 2017 • Friday to Monday • 10 am to 5 pm

www.images-studio-tour.com

home

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

Fall for Colour That chill in the air means it’s time to think about the great indoors. Sue Kay of Sue Kay & Company, Allandale Decorating, Barrie, shares her insights for bringing a touch of warmth to your home.

Think pink: “I struggle with pinks, but I am starting to love pink in different ranges,” Kay says.

“Think faded and chalky, pink glass and rose gold.” The hue brings a warm counterbalance to the cooler greys we’ve been seeing. Another on-trend shade? “Shadow” by Bejamin Moore, which she describes as a “deep purple-y colour, great for fall.”

Be worldly: In keeping with bringing in colour, Kay says to look for hits of retro-tropical pattern from Hawaii or Polynesia. “A little patterned pillow brings in a pop of bright, happy colour.”

Cozy up: Layer on the warmth with lots of tactile things, she says. “Look for fur pillows and cozy cashmere throws in colours that are soft and analogous — near each other on the colour wheel.”

Want a Designer’s Advice? Email us at goodlifeeditor@yrmg.com and share your decor challenge, and you could win a free one-hour consultation with Sue Kay!

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 15

home | House Tour

Perfection is in the 16 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

For designer Madison Taylor, attention to detail starts at the very beginning and ends in a beautiful home

by Dawn Ritchie PHOTOS BY Andrew Manson

D

esigner Madison Taylor’s approach to renovations begins with functionality. First, she assesses the priorities of her clients and how the household operates daily. Then she makes it stunning. “If you don’t have function first, it doesn’t matter how good things look,” Taylor says. “Without function, it isn’t a successful design.”

Once the practical issues are compiled, Taylor asks her clients to create a Pinterest and Houzz account to select photos that appeal to them. “It’s the clearest way to communicate, through pictures,” she says. “The terms ‘modern’ and ‘contemporary’ have different definitions for people. One person’s idea of traditional can be completely different from another’s.

This way, we can look at their selections to see if we’re heading in the right direction. If they show us 10 pictures of a white kitchen, we know they want a white kitchen.”

A Kitchen for Family and Friends

Planning

Taylor’s most recent main-floor renovation on an Innisfil property was for active professionals who love to entertain. They would need the kind of kitchen that supported the rigours of a big crowd, without sacrificing the intimacy of their day-to-day lives with young children.

Taylor installed double islands for the kitchen on the open-concept main level and bumped up the wow factor with rare, semi-precious gemstone countertops shipped in from Israel and finished by York Fabrica.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 17

home | House Tour

Everything is thoughtfully laid out and in just the right spot

Rare, semi-precious gemstone countertops, shipped in from Israel and finished by York Fabrica, bump up the wow factor.

18 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Overtop, three sparkling pendants in polished aluminum, from Restoration Hardware’s Maritime Collection, provide unique lighting.

Absolute Cabinets did the Shaker panel cabinetry throughout, painting it in Benjamin Moore Collingwood, with walls in complementary Rockport Gray.

The island closest to the hidden fridge and freezer is the functional cooking area with a sink, a dishwasher, trash collection and cutlery storage. It’s all within arm’s reach of the built-in Thermador coffee maker, wine fridge and stackable ovens.

The second island acts purely as a server and entertainment area to lay out food, with additional plate storage and beverage fridge below. Four comfy leather stools (from Lee Industries through Catherine Staples Interiors) are at the ready for family meals.

Sparkling pendants in polished aluminum from Restoration Hardware’s Maritime Collection provide the lighting.

Taylor deliberately situated the two islands on either side of the massive four-foot, six-burner Thermador range for impact. She wanted the sleek range hood and herringbone-laid Mutina Ceramica backsplash (Stone Tile) with pot filler to act as a framed focal point.

The functionality is addressed and the symmetry is pleasing, creating a satisfying tableau — especially important, since it’s all in view of the main living area and is the first thing you see as you descend the stairs from the second level.

Customized Functionality A secondary prep sink with reverse-osmosis water faucet was installed at the end of the main counters, next to the formal dining area. This means children can grab a quick drink without entering the kitchen proper and getting in the way, and it proves useful for hosting events. “Fill it with ice and put in some drinks for guests,” Taylor says.

Cabinets reach all the way to the 10-foot ceilings, but since accessing cupboards at that height is not practical, Taylor made it into a lighted presentation area with a spot for specialty cookbooks. Everything is thoughtfully laid out and in just the right GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 19

home | House Tour

“The process is so important,” designer Madison Taylor says

20 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

spot. Mugs are stored in the cabinet above the built-in coffee station, drawers with built-in knife blocks keep sharp edges away from children and pull-out spice and oil organizers keep counters clear, but condiments accessible.

The more chaotic food storage and unwieldy cooking trays slip nicely into the adjoining walk-in pantry around the corner, tucked behind a sliding barn door. Taylor is a big believer in placing pantries where they belong — next to the kitchen, but within direct access from the garage, from where you’re also likely to bring in groceries.

Her renovation plan also involved adding in a mudroom with cubbies, cabinets and a coat closet with meshed doors, so moisture from drying winter coats would never cause mould issues, but could still be hidden from sight. A rolling track with ladder (constructed by Absolute Cabinets) enables access to upper cabinets here for seasonal storage.

Flooring is a quiet grey Stone Box tile in two sizes, laid on the diagonal for visual interest.

Award Winning Briar Hill - 183 Ridge Way

Plenty of Personal Touches Also off the same hallway is a secondary laundry room with apartment-sized Miele stackable washer/dryer to handle light loads, and an enamelled cast iron utility sink (Glen Falls by Kohler) — handy for tossing in dishtowels, dining linens or children’s clothing. Taylor used the same tiling for the laundry as in the kitchen for visual continuity.

In the front office, two work stations with top-of-the-line Herman Miller Aeron chairs make daily routines ergo dynamic.

Taylor kept the design clean and fresh in here with crisp millwork, but added a touch of barnboard (from Barn to Table) again on a feature wall for an element of “texture and coziness.” This motif is repeated in a wall niche and on the giant mirror in the entryway.

A lovely window bench in the office has a plush, upholstered seat cushion with colour matching the barn wood. “We installed the

Stunning open concept Rembrandt model in the “Award Winning Community of Briar Hill” Backing unto 11th fairway of the Ridge course. Numerous upgrades and a pleasure to show.

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 21

home | House Tour

Two work stations with top-of-the-line Herman Miller Aeron chairs make routines ergo dynamic.

A lovely window bench in the office has a plush, upholstered seat cushion with colour matching the barn wood.

22 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

window bench basically because the window was a lower height and we couldn’t put a desk there,” Taylor says. “We added file storage beneath the bench. To the right of that, there’s a full pantry for office storage and a walk-in closet.”

The side desk in the office has a rustic wooden top with a scrolled base that was handdrawn by Madison Taylor Design and custom cut, again by Absolute Cabinets.

Meeting Timing and Expectations The entire project ran just under six months, but the majority of that was in the planning phase. “Our drawing package is a paint-bynumbers for the interiors,” says Taylor, who leaves no decision for debate. “Every item is laid out in advance, from our construction costs and schedule to accurate pricing,” she says. “We’re extremely detailed, right down to grout size.” Taylor credits her precision to the eight years she spent working in construction management. “That’s why we have such detailed and accurate interior packages and why we have successful budgets and timelines. It’s all preplanning. For builders and the trades, we’re talking their talk. The builders are happy — they aren’t chasing around after info, and the clients are happy because the project moves along.”

Construction for the first-floor renovation ran only 10 weeks — a feat, given that the clients were living in the home at the time and construction could only occur between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The home also had to be dust-free and clean at the end of each day’s work.

“The process is so important,” Taylor says, “understanding how you get there, beyond the clients’ experience. You have to get that package together to protect their investment.

Our clients wanted to enjoy Christmas in their new home and gave us a deadline of December 17. We finished on December 17, brought in a cleaning crew, and prepped and staged the home. They actually hosted a party for 100 people on December 18. They put a lot of faith in us and we delivered.”

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 23

home | House Tour

ABOVE: The new mudroom features cubbies, cabinets and a coat closet. The rolling track with ladder makes the upper cabinets accessible.

LEFT: The striking, statement-making birdcage chandelier in the foyer is from Restoration Hardware.

Sources:

Glass-topped root side table from Arteriors.

Fabrics and cushion selections made by Madison Taylor Design.

Countertops by York Fabrica.

Sofas and lounge chairs by Lee Industries sourced through Catherine Staples Interiors.

Foyer’s banana silk rug, vases and accessories from Elte.

Foyer birdcage chandelier and dining room wine barrel pendants by Restoration Hardware.

24 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Cabinetry by Absolute Cabinets.

Plumbing by Custom Plumbing.

Electrical by Amp Champ.

Appliance package, Thermador.

Laundry appliances, Miele.

Barn wood, foyer bench and office table

by Barn to Table.

Planning. Patience. Partnership: Three Steps For Maximizing Investment Performance

By Debbie Hudson, TD Wealth Private Investment Advice There is nothing particularly difficult about building an investment portfolio. But making that portfolio pay off is another story. There are some key fundamentals to investment success: partnership, planning and patience.

Partnership is about getting professional advice. Planning is about the establishment of goals. Patience is about thinking long term. Making all three work together successfully is the key to consistent investment success.

A good place to start is partnership, and that means getting some professional advice. A reliable investment advisor,workinginpartnership with you, can bring great value to both the basic construction

and subsequent performance of your portfolio.

Planning is next. Identifying goals. Factoring in your income level, now and in the future. Taking account of lifestyle issues. Considering how much money you have to invest and how frequently you are prepared to invest it.

That brings us to patience.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and no investment is going to pay off overnight. Steady long term thinking is the key.

So try to invest regularly, not just once a year during RSP season, as so many people do.

Set up a schedule with your investment advisor. Consider investing as a regular part of your monthly budget, just like paying the rent or the mortgage.

PartnershipwithanInvestment Advisor.

Planning your portfolio carefully. Patience and long term thinking.

These are the basics to success for many investors, and with good reason. They pay off.

This article was prepared by TD Wealth Private Investment Advice for Debbie Hudson who is an Investment Advisor with TD Wealth Private Investment Advice and is for informational purposes only.

It is not an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase and sale of any investment fund, security or other product and does not provide individual, financial, legal, investment or tax advice.

td wealth A personalized approach to help you achieve your goals debbie Hudson CFP Vice President and Investment Advisor TD Wealth Private Investment Advice 705-435-8874 debbie.hudson@td.com TD Wealth Private Investment Advice is a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc., a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. – Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. ® The TD logo and other trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

M06304 (0713)

ALLISTON mill mArket A Foodie’s PArAdise Where else can you get a hummingbird feeder, artisanal pasta, a shovel, blueberry pie, bale of straw, gourmet chocolate and order baby chicks for your hen house all in one spot?

The Alliston Feed Service and Mill Market has all the makings of a classic country store but with a gourmet bent—and it is truly a foodies’ paradise. There are freezers teeming with delicious artisan soups, curries, luscious pies, local Berkshire pork, Turkey Mango patties, Smokehouse sausages, and ethically raised and sourced meats from humane sustainable family farms. The fridges hold free range farm fresh eggs, local cheeses, allnatural tortillas, goat milk and for the purists out there, wonderful old-fashioned cream-top whole milk. Yum! Shelves are stocked with rows of designer hot sauces, homemade jams, locally sourced maple syrup and honey and even garlic roasters.

Wander further down the aisles and you’ll find pet supplies, soy candles, Lotus Natural Living cleaning products, high quality garden tools, specialty lotions, crocks, planters and burlap pillows. It’s simply a cornucopia of delights that makes you feel all homespun and warm and fuzzy inside.

sAvoury sAturdAys 11 Am – 4 Pm On Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays tea biscuits arrive from The Globe Restaurant, crusty fresh bread comes in Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from an artisan bakery, and on Thursdays and Fridays CSA vegetables and fresh flowers arrive from local farms. On Savoury Saturdays between 11 – 4, there are taste tests offered by local food producers who hand out samples and recipes and explain how their food is prepared and animals are raised.

“We want people to know the story behind the food they eat,” says Mill Market owner Peter Dockerty. “They get to meet the producer firsthand and put a face to the product.”

In keeping with that mission Mill Market has placed 8 x 11 sheets with the story of each of their suppliers right next to their products.

“We have 44 local food suppliers and 25-35 food entrepreneurs providing products,” says Dockerty.

“I source local food. Everything we carry is from within 100 miles. We meet with the producers, do taste tests and personally check out their farm and practices. We still have our traditional business of animal feed, forage, pet food and grass seed. But today we also sell knowledge.”

Peter & sheila dockerty From devAstAtion to rejuvenAtion Opened in April of this year, the Mill Market is the phoenix that rose from the ashes of a devastating fire that took the Alliston Feed Service on Albert Street. The historic mill started in 1918 only to be tragically destroyed by arson August 19th, 2016. Peter Dockerty and his wife Sheila were the fifth owners of the business, holding the company for 22 years. “We were one of the first companies to use Non-GMO corn in our poultry feed,” says Dockerty.

“We had 1000 tonne Non-GMO Corn grown for us.”

Knowing they couldn’t let their farm customers down who relied on the feed for their animals, the Dockerty’s immediately acquired the new location at 29 Young Street in Alliston and amazingly were up and running again within the same week.

Rebuilding came at a steep price however, $9 million dollars. They used the opportunity to expand, incorporating a food store into the

business. “The counter is made from bricks we saved from the fire. Floor boards are from the bagging room and we turned a mixer into a coffee table.” A mural behind the counter that tells the mill’s story was also saved.

Their journey to create a food market began by visiting farmers’ markets, searching Facebook sites and using their farm connections to source suppliers and culinary entrepreneurs, and the Mill Market was born.

Two of their entrepreneurs started businesses through government grants, a fifteen-year-old girl who provides meat pies and a young man who makes bouquets out of flowers he grows. Coming this fall, Mill Market will carry authentic falafels prepared in a commercial kitchen by a woman from Syria who is sponsored by the United Church.

Unlike the aisles of sky-high shelves under a fluorescent glare that you experience in corporate grocery

stores, the Mill Market is the kind of shop you’ll want to take your time in, slowly browsing as the homey atmosphere sinks in. There are dozens of unique items including pillows, pottery, giftware and all of the essential goods you can get at a farmgate. At Christmas, decorations are brought in, and there are even rustic artsy signs to dress your walls.

“People like shopping at farmers’ markets,” says Dockerty. “But, what do they do when the markets are closed? They can come here.”

29 Young Street Alliston, ON L9R 1B5

705-435-6438

Oct 27th, 2017 Mill Market is sponsoring an old-fashioned fall harvest festival dinner as a fundraiser for the Gibson Centre. Farmers and food entrepreneurs will make and serve the meal. $80 a couple.

home | Warm up your home

Warming

Trend Easy ways to up your home’s cozy factor when there’s snow way out

By Patti Vipond It’s mid-November. You are trudging through a thick snowfall in the darkness of late afternoon. An ice-edged wind batters you.

Know what you need? To arrive at a home that has been turned into a cozy nest, where winter’s wrath is muted with snuggly soft throws and candles that glow through the evening.

Here’s how to take an interior from summer cool to winter cozy.

Award-winning interior decorator Mary Dancey, owner of Mary Dancey Interiors in Alliston, suggests starting with a fireplace — it’s easier than you think. “Electric fireplaces have come a long way and have installation-free options available,” Dancey says. “Some plug into an 110-watt duplex outlet. There are fabulous design styles, including traditional, transitional, modern and contemporary.”

Next, think about your windows. “Lined 28 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

draperies covering the full window beyond the trim offers some heat retention in a room and can completely change its look,” Dancey says.

She also advises swapping area rugs with the seasons to change the feel of a room. “Lighter colours and patterns in spring and summer can be switched out for deeper, more saturated colours in the fall and winter.”

As the cooler weather sets in, Devon Silva, owner of Remnants in Tottenham, changes her living room decor to create a warm, cozy and inviting space. “In a living or great room, I focus on soft furnishings, accessories, lighting and, of course, the fireplace,” she says. “To achieve a lush, cushiony feeling on your sofa, add layers of decorative down-filled toss pillows covered in soft textured patterns or faux fur.”

Silva is also a fan of adding throws to the

living room. “Wrapping yourself in a cozy throw and curling up on the sofa is something I’m sure we all do throughout the winter,” she says. Think faux fur, chenille, cotton or knitted to create a sense of warmth and softness in a room. Silva also adds large, soft area rugs to keep feet warm and retain room heat. Or, create a cozy reading nook with a tall floor lamp reaching over a corner chair.

Consider giving your fireplace an upgrade.

“Add a mirror over the mantel or a larger piece of artwork,” Silva says. “Layering lanterns and candles helps dress up the fireplace.”

And don’t forget where you want to feel coziest: the bedroom. Dancey makes it a winter retreat with a few strategic, beautiful moves.

“Change your bedding to your favourite warm colour,” she says. “If you have white linens, work with them and add some warm accent

“In a living or great room, I focus on soft furnishings, accessories, lighting and, of course, the fireplace,” colours with toss pillows or a throw laid out at the foot of the bed or on a bench. Retrieve your duvet and put it back on the bed. Change your airy summer window treatments for heavier coverings.”

For Silva, warm neutral colours like cream, silver and grey create a tranquil atmosphere in the bedroom. “An upholstered headboard is a great way to bring softness and warmth to the room,” she says. “Aromatherapy also makes the bedroom feel more like a retreat. Certain oils, such as lavender, are helpful for sleeping or to relieve stress.”

Creating a special winter look in your living room and dining area can be the prelude to getting ready for holiday entertaining. “A welcoming home always smells delicious,” Silva says.

“Fill a room with the smells of the season with

candles or fragrant bowls filled with scents of cinnamon, vanilla, pine needles or evergreens.”

Come the fall, Dancey changes the throws and pillows in her living room with ones that have “Canadiana or other red patterns,” and she also changes up the art. Dancey says, “When December hits, I add a few new and childhood Christmas decor items. Seasonal flower displays in holiday-themed vases or clear glass work for a simpler look.”

And two ways to keep your spirits up during the long Canadian winter? Dancey recommends turning on “the fireplace channel on your television if you have a set in your bedroom, and put out something colourful somewhere to make you smile in the morning. It will remind you that spring really is on its way.”

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 29

home | Winter ready your home

Preventive Measures

Will your home be ready for the first icy blast of winter?

Here’s what needs to be done to ward off cold, wet problems later

By Patti Vipond You might not even want to think, let alone do, something to get your home ready for winter yet. With the sun shining warmly through the early fall, the biting bugs gone and evenings still long and lovely, who cares if the furnace still works, the eavestroughs are clear and whether those exterior wall pipes might freeze?

You should.

Fall is the time to do the preventive maintenance that will avoid a stone-cold furnace in mid-winter, eavestrough overflow and pipes that go pop as they freeze.

The annual fall cleaning of your home’s eavestroughs and downspouts can be done by anyone with a ladder and without a fear of heights. Leaves and other debris should be completely cleared from both to protect your home’s roof and foundation from water and ice damage.

Run a little water through the eavestrough and downspout to check for cracks and leaks.

Mixing water with bitter temperatures can also harm interior pipes without fall maintenance. Every spring, Lee Goodenough, owner of Pro Trade Contracting and Plumbing in Alliston, sees the unhappy results of a hose bib that was forgotten after watering season.

“Turn off your hose bib in the fall,” Goodenough says, referring to the faucet on the exterior of your house. “The number one issue we run into in the spring is people fail to turn off their outside hose bibs. I get a hundred calls every spring about frozen outside hose connections.” He warns that if the hose bib isn’t turned off before winter, “The water usually freezes inside the wall and cracks the pipes. Then, when the valve is turned on inside the house and the ice thaws, water starts spraying out of the pipe.

We’ve dealt with some instances where the basement was completely flooded.” He adds to make sure the pipes are drained, as well.

Goodenough also advises homeowners to have lawn and garden irrigation systems drained for the same reason. As well, cast your eyes toward the sump pump in the fall. “Your sump pump line comes outside and there is usually a flexible hose that runs away from the house,” he explains. “People forget to disconnect that hose. It sits in the grass and gets fro30 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

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zen. That creates all kinds of holes in the sump pump line that the homeowner discovers in the spring.”

Pipes in the basement that are near windows may be relatively out of sight all year, but when fall arrives, they shouldn’t be out of mind.

“Any exposed piping that is close to a window in the basement needs insulation,” Goodenough says. “We do a lot of insulating of pipes that are on exterior walls after the fact. Even if your house is older and has been fine for a number of years, the pipes should be insulated. All of a sudden, the house could develop a crack in the wall that becomes a hole and causes a draft. Now your pipes that are close to a basement window are in the draft and freeze. The downfall happens once spring hits. The water thaws out and the pipes that have expanded and cracked start spraying. It turns into a nightmare.”

The other essential home fall maintenance job is having the furnace checked. Don’t wait until the first blustery day to find out that your furnace went south during the summer.

Regardless of the age or efficiency rating of your furnace, Don Roper, owner of Don’s Heating and Cooling Ltd., recommends it be inspected annually at the beginning of fall. As well as cleaning the furnace, his staff will inspect the furnace’s filter and clean or replace it if necessary. A clogged filter blocks the flow of heated air from the furnace, making it work harder while delivering less heat. Having regular service for your furnace will ensure it operates at top efficiency and will prevent the need for repairs.

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home | Winter ready your garden

The Winter Garden

Big Sleep

The

Want a beautiful garden this spring? Start now

By Patti Vipond After lavishing tender care on your garden and lawn all summer, you might worry that winter will set you back to square one, postthaw. Luckily, gardening expert Nancy Stein of Alliston Botanix has the scoop on methods for overwintering lawns, perennials, roses and trees.

“The most important thing for your lawn is to fertilize it,” Stein says. “Look for a fertilizer that has slow-release nitrogen to feed the lawn gradually. Apply it in October while the soil temperatures are above 4°C because you want the roots to still be growing.” She explains that the fertilizer provides the roots with a lot of sugar, helping them to withstand winter fluctuations. Then, come spring, food will be available for quicker growth. “You’ll get a faster green-up if you fertilize in the fall.”

When it comes to perennials, only some need to be cut back. Stein notes that ornamental grasses look beautiful during the winter 32 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

and add colour when left standing. Untrimmed coneflowers attract winter birds with their seeds. Diseased plants, however, should be cut down for a clean slate in spring.

“Yucca is an evergreen that has a big spike of flowers in July,” Stein says. “A few years ago, I had foot surgery in winter and basically watched my garden for a few weeks. There was always a woodpecker at the yucca. I found out woodpeckers really like yucca flower stems.

Now I leave them up.”

The ever-popular but damp hosta needs to have the ground cleaned up around it to foil slugs and snails. “They lay their eggs under hostas, but if you clean away the foliage in the fall, you will be less likely to have a large crop of them in spring,” Stein says.

To protect perennial beds, apply a light mulch of wood chips or leaves from your yard, just as freeze-up happens. “Shred up the leaves, mix them with compost and put it on

your garden,” Stein advises. “It helps with the freezing-and-thawing cycle. When there’s not much snow or we lose it and have wildly fluctuating March temperatures, that’s really hard on plants. Plants literally get pushed out of the ground by the contraction and expansion of the ground freezing and thawing. The mulch stops that from happening.”

Evergreens planted within the year should be framed and wrapped in a double layer of burlap (to avoid touching the plant), especially in a windy area. Once the trees are established, Stein recommends wrapping them with twine or garden netting to protect against increasingly frequent ice storms and heavy snowfalls.

“Evergreens will start getting heavy with water by April, because they start to pull from their roots,” Stein explains. “If they have a lot of water in their needles and we have a snowfall, they might break. If they are tied up, they are protected.”

To protect perennial beds, apply a light mulch of wood chips or leaves from your yard, just as freezeup happens.

Voles, rabbits and mice find tree bark, especially on fruit trees, delicious. Unfortunately, they can nibble a tree to death. Stein advises wrapping tree trunks with about a metre of white plastic tree wrap until they’re about 10 cm around.

“People wonder why the wrap goes up so high, but if you ever saw a rabbit standing on its hind legs in snow, you’ll know why,” Stein says.

“For mature trees and evergreens, the most important thing is to give them a good drink before winter, a real soaking. Evergreens have a natural antifreeze, but they need lots of water for that to be effective.”

Grafted roses like English, tea and floribunda need about a 50-cm layer of compost mixed with fresh soil heaped up around their base but not touching the stem to protect roots from sudden freezing and thawing. Cut the shrub back to about 45 cm. If the winter is severely cold, the plant may be dead above the heap and will need to be cut back to there. “It’s not usually severe cold that kills plants,” Stein says. “More things are killed through freezing and thawing.”

And Stein says in the fall, also plant some tulips and daffodils: “If you plant some flowering spring bulbs, you’ll be looking forward to spring even more.”

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paradiSE in GrEEn Briar!

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updatEd BunGaLow 28 Marshall Cres. Baxter

Overlooking the Nottawasaga River, this beautifully updated home has everything on your ‘ wish list’. The updated kitchen boasts granite & s/s Jennair appliances, while the open concept living and dining rooms offer hardwood, large windows & a walk out to the main level deck.

Upstairs, the loft includes the master bedroom, an updated 5 pc ensuite, large walk in closets, plus a den & an office with a walk out to another deck. The home also offers a main floor laundry, a finished lower level with guest bedroom, 3 pc ensuite & a family room with walk out to a patio. Shows 10++. Offered for $629,900

• Open Concept • Major Improvements • Air Conditioning • Newer Roof • Family Sized Lot • Double Car Garage • Close to Schools Offered for $539,900

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51 ACRES (m/l) of scenic countryside located just SW of popular south Barrie area. Great space for your hobbies, horses, livestock & more! Brick bungalow with 4 outbuildings. Zoning allows numerous uses including market garden where farm produce sold, B & B and home occupation. Convenient access to major rds, conservation area, golf course & Barrie. MLS# N3845457.

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Located in an estate subdivision this stunning home features almost 4000 sq. ft. of fully finished living space. With a spacious main floor of 2450 sq. ft., boasting two walk outs, entrance to garage, main floor laundry, hdwd floors and granite counters this home is sure to impress. New steel roof, windows and furnace all in the last three years. Stunning gardens and a short walk to the golf course. Offered at $899,900.

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veryone wants a bungalow, great for seniors or small kids. This bungalow has what everyone wants that beautiful open concept, so you can watch the children while you are cooking. Many extras like the Island/Breakfast Bar, W/O To Deck BBQ Gas Hookup, Huge Yard, 3 Good Sized Bedrooms Plus One On Lower Level, Hardwood Floors, Lower Level Family Room With Gas Fireplace, Walk Up To Garage. Call for your personal tour!

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The Mortimer Team Has Proven Time & Again, That We Set The Bar For Highest Sale Prices In Alliston & Surrounding Area. Not Only Do We List Homes, We Sell Them!

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food & drink

Pumpkin Power When you carve up your jack-o’-lantern this year, don’t pitch the seeds or you’ll be throwing out a tasty nutritional powerhouse. Just 2 tsp of roasted pumpkin seeds delivers protein, fibre and 25 per cent of the daily recommended amount of magnesium, essential for muscle and bone. If that weren’t enough, the seeds are also a rich source of tryptophan, which helps relieve insomnia.

Preparing this natural snack is easy. Just rinse about 2 cups of seeds, removing any stringy bits, and spread in a single layer on a couple of baking sheets to dry thoroughly. Then, toss with 2 tsp of vegetable oil and ¼ tsp of salt to coat, and roast at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally for even toasting. Cool and enjoy, storing any leftovers in an airtight container.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 37

food & drink | In the Kitchen

38 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

I n T h e Kitc h en with

Tea at the Corner Lorna Duggan is bringing leisurely café culture to Alliston, one cup at a time

By Dawn Ritchie | Photography by Ellie KistemakeR European traditions are built on the providence of living a balanced life. They value the merit of seizing 45 minutes in the afternoon for a light repast and conversation. This pause in the day, generally around 3 p.m., bolsters spirits and deepens perspective. In the U.K., there is afternoon tea. In Germany, it’s kaffee und kuchen (coffee and cake). The French have managed to make it an all-day affair with cafés on virtually every corner.

We’ve lost that tradition in North America. Instead, we rush to and fro through traffic, sipping out of to-go cups from coffee shops. When you’re hurrying through life without taking the time to truly savour it, you miss the insouciant moments that make it all worthwhile.

So, four years ago, tea sommelier Lorna Duggan decided to revive the afternoon tea tradition and opened Tea at the Corner, a quaint tea room in her landmark Alliston Victorian mansion (circa 1905). The house was once owned by the grandmother of local author Ralph E. Braden, who recounts his childhood memories of it in his book The Way We Were Then. Duggan bought the home with her daughter, Tammy Boniface, in 2006.

“We love century homes,” Duggan says. “And we’re very much into antiques. We have lots of them, and not enough room to display it all.” In the tea room, the space seats up to 17, holds

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 39

food & drink | In the Kitchen

Her Cup of Tea

We sat down with Tea at the Corner owner Lorna Duggan to learn more about her and what led her to open a café in her own home What inspired you to open a tea room?

I retired at 63 and spent the first three weeks in my pajamas. I had nothing to do. I was bored and I needed a purpose. I had worked since age 17.

Originally, [my daughter and I] thought we’d open a B&B, but then decided we didn’t want people in our private space. We were out travelling and stopped at a tea room and thought, “This is a good idea.” So, I began researching, touring other establishments and decided to study it more.

Where did you study?

I took tea sommelier courses at George Brown and Georgian College. We did tastings on teas from all over the world.

What are your favourites?

Pai Mu Tan is my favourite white. Genmaicha, from Japan, is my favourite green, and Milk is the oolong I like best. I could go on. We also carry rooibos, blacks and pu-erh.

Who is your customer base?

There are some avid tea drinkers out there: Gentlemen come in, a lot of retirees, women come from their golf game every week; I’ve even had local OPP officers in for tea and brownies. My neighbours called to check on me when they saw two squad cars out front.

I also have special cups and saucers for little girls’ tea parties. If they’re really little, I have a Minnie Mouse cup and saucer. Friends threw a high tea birthday party once, and the woman they were throwing the party for confided, “I hate tea.” Luckily, I serve gourmet coffee.

40 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

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five tables, wingback chairs and one church pew, all on wonderfully aged century-old wooden floors. The effect is a relaxing, cool, leisurely ambience.

And then, of course, there’s the tea: a selection of more than 30 varieties — from “Gunpowder” green tea to “Chocolate Chili Truffle” black to “Lychee Ball” flowering tea — to tickle your taste buds. The old standards of orange pekoe and Earl Grey are also available. One of the biggest sellers is “Queen Victoria,” a blend of three teas with an Assam base that imparts a smoky flavour. Coffee lovers, meanwhile, will find imported gourmet Hawaiian Hilo, freshly ground on the premises.

To fill the belly, Duggan offers fresh scones, an assortment of desserts, and a soup, sandwich and salad plate for a quick lunch. But if you order the high tea (for the reasonable price of $20), a pot of tea and a three-tiered cake stand bursting with scones, homemade jams, curds and cream, as well as a selection of little sandwiches — egg salad, cream cheese and tomato, chopped ham and cucumber — will be brought to your table.

And there’s still the dessert tray, with its rotating selection of goodies, from brownies and pumpkin rolls to chocolate caramel squares, butter tarts, apple squares and fresh strawberries. “We have done gluten-free and vegan by request,” Duggan says, “with advance notice.”

With so much to savour, no wonder customers tend to take their time. “We don’t rush people, she says. “If they want to come and go, that’s fine. But we encourage people to sit and chat and turn their phones off.” That’s why there’s no free Wi-Fi at Tea at the Corner. “We are promoting a place where people can talk to one another.”

Tea at the Corner 22 Ontario Street, Alliston (705) 434-9938, teaatthecorner.ca

(BR L-R) Gary Laakso, Cindy Conn, Lindsey Sheardown, Dayna Simhoni, Pieter Kiezebrink

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 41

food & drink | In the Kitchen

42 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Apple Pie Bars

(Recipe shared by Tea at the Corner) Crust milk 1 egg yolk (reserve egg white) 2½ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1 cup cold butter

THE

OLDE STANTON STORE

Filling 1 cup crushed corn flakes cereal 8 cups tart apples, peeled, cored, cut into ¼-inch-thick slices 1 cup sugar 1½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg Topping reserved egg white 2 tbsp sugar ½ tsp cinnamon Glaze 1 cup icing sugar 1-2 tbsp milk ½ tsp vanilla Preheat oven to 350°F. Add enough milk to egg yolk to measure 2/3 cup; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly.

With a fork, stir in milk mixture until dough forms a ball. Divide in half (Lorna Duggan says she finds it easier to divide into four and fit two pieces together). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough half to fit into a greased 15 x 10 x 1 jelly roll pan.

For filling: Sprinkle cereal over dough, followed by layer of apples. In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Sprinkle mixture over apples.

Roll remaining dough half to fit as a top crust and place over filling.

For topping: In a small bowl, beat reserved egg white with a fork until foamy. Brush top of dough. In the previous spice bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle on top.

Bake 45 to 60 minutes or until lightly browned.

For glaze: Combine ingredients and drizzle overtop crust while still warm. Let cool and cut into 2 in squares.

Makes about 30 squares.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 43

food & drink | Canadian Wines

Oh, Canadians

The maple leaf flies proudly abroad, through these notable wines

By Michael Pinkus

I

n July we celebrated Canada’s 150th birthday – and sure, we could have gone all out and promoted Canadian wine then, but we know you were too busy drinking Canada’s national beverage: beer.

But seriously, I’m sure everyone and his dog was giving you advice about which Canadian wine to buy – but how many told you about which wines were made by Canadians? The Canadian wine scene – and by extension Ontario – is full of crafty winemakers from all over the world who have come here to test their mettle in our cool climate region. However, just like some of our best talent in the acting field, our winemakers have crossed the border to seek fame and fortune, honing their skills and plying their trade.

This month the wines I’m recommending are made by – and in some cases financed by – entrepreneurial and intrepid Canadians who have decided to spread their wings and fly the maple leaf elsewhere in the world of wine.

44 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Bachelder 2013 Niagara Chardonnay Ontario ($24.95 LCBO#302083) While Montreal native Thomas Bachelder’s work is also known in Burgundy and Oregon (where he still makes wine) he has always come back to where it all began, Ontario. His Chardonnays are much heralded and this 2013 is no different, with its subtlety of mineral along with apple and pear fruit, delicate use of oak and balanced acidity. (¬¬¬¬)

La Crema 2014 Monterey Pinot Noir California ($26.95 LCBO#367896) Elizabeth Grant-Douglas hails from St. Catharines and was one of the first to graduate from Brock University’s wine program.

She brought those cool-climate skills to California’s premier Pinot- and Chardonnayproducer La Crema and has created this easy-drinking Pinot, loaded with crancherry and a touch of spice. (¬¬¬ ½ +)

Lake Sonoma 2013 Zinfandel California ($18.95 LCBO#498766) Tony Stewart’s family started Quails’ Gate in the Okanagan Valley, BC, then in 2012 decided they need to add to their work load and try their hand in another region. Regular readers will know my love of Zinfandel and this one ticks all the right boxes: fruit-driven with mulberry, plum and black cherry – plus a hint of cocoa. (¬¬¬ ½ +)

Versado 2012 Reserva Ancient Malbec Argentina ($59.95 LCBO#316984) Anne Sperling and Peter Gamble are the equivalent of a winemaking super group: she’s the winemaker, he’s the consultant, and together they have worked in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and now Argentina.

This Malbec is firm yet fruity, with lots of grip from both tannins and skin contact. (¬¬¬ ½ +)

Prevedello 2016 Asolo Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco Italy ($16.95 LCBO#262881) Toronto Restauranteur Franco Prevedello went back to his family’s vineyard in the Prosecco region (Veneto) to help bring Italian sparkling wine back to the fore. This food-friendly bubbly might seem simple at first sip but it’s the lemon-lime and minerality that makes it special. (¬¬¬ ½ +)

Quadrus 2012 Red Portugal ($19.95 LCBO#440305) Born in the Azores, the Amaro brothers (Tony and Mario) have roots both in Toronto’s food and wine scene as well as in Portugal, both literally and figuratively.

In 2010 they launched the first vintage of their Quadrus wine to some acclaim and the hits just keep on coming. Plenty of dark fruit, plum, cherry, licorice and pepper make up the bulk of the 2012 edition. (¬¬¬ ½ +) GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 45

food & drink | Recipes

rediscover

Fresh Fall Fare

By SIGNE LANGFORD Photography by DONNA GRIFFITH

That first hint of chill in the air signals the return of comfort-food season, and the autumn harvest means there are lots of delicious ways to enjoy heartier meals. These three recipes are a great way to easily try something deliciously different.

46 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

Braised Burdock Gratin If you’re having a hard time finding burdock, try an Asian grocery store, where it might be called gobo.

For the Burdock 10 spears burdock root, peeled and washed 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock Over medium-high heat, in a covered saucepan or deep skillet, gently boil burdock in stock, making sure it’s submerged at the start. Keep covered and cook until almost fork-tender, about 40 minutes.

Transfer burdock to a lightly buttered ovenproof casserole dish, arranging in a single layer; set aside. Reserve stock for the cheese sauce (top up if need be). Preheat oven to 350°F.

For the cheese sauce 2 tbsp butter 2 tbsp flour ¼ tsp white pepper ¼ tsp nutmeg ¼ tsp fine sea salt ¼ cup medium-dry sherry ½ cup vegetable or chicken stock (use reserved stock) ½ cup 18% cream 1 cup grated sharp or extra-old white cheddar In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add flour, pepper, nutmeg and salt, and stir continuously until butter and flour are a nutty brown, smooth, thick paste — about 5 minutes.

Add sherry, stock and cream and stir briskly to combine. Fold in cheese until melted and combined.

Pour evenly over burdock. Set aside.

For the topping 1 cup puffed rice cereal 1 tbsp melted butter ½ cup grated sharp or extra-old white cheddar 1 tsp fine sea salt white or black pepper, to taste ¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives or garlic scapes for garnish (optional) Add cereal to a small bowl and drizzle with butter; toss to coat as evenly as possible. Add cheese, salt and pepper and toss to coat as evenly as possible.

Sprinkle mixture over sauced burdock and bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbling and golden on top.

Garnish with chives or garlic scapes.

Makes 4 to 6 side-dish servings.

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 47

food & drink | Recipes

Honeyed Orange-Persimmon Cornmeal Cake

INGREDIENTS ¼ cup butter 3 tbsp honey juice of one large orange (about ¾ cup) 3 large store-bought persimmons (or about 7 tiny wild ones), tops trimmed, cut into half-inch wedges ¾ cup flour 1 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal 1 tsp baking powder ¾ tsp fine sea salt 3 eggs ½ cup sugar ½ cup runny or warmed honey 2/3 cup maple water or sap; milk or apple juice will also do ½ cup extra-virgin canola oil zest of 1 large orange; about 1 tbsp Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 9- or 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, add butter, honey and orange juice. Melt, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to low. Add persimmons and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until liquid has reduced slightly. Turn heat off and set skillet aside while making the batter.

In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt, breaking up any lumps.

Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl, using a whisk, beat eggs, sugar and 48 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

honey until frothy. Add maple sap (or other liquid), oil and zest, and continue to beat until well combined.

All at once, add dry ingredients to egg mixture and blend to combine well, breaking up any lumps and making sure everything is moist; but don’t overmix. Gently pour over persimmons.

Pop skillet into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until golden. Note: There might well be some bubbling up and dripping, so a bit of foil under the skillet — or on the bottom of the oven — is a good idea.

Serve warm with whipped cream.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

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PUFFY EGG SQUARES Ingredients ½ cup mascarpone, at room temperature ¼ cup nduja (a spicy, spreadable salami), at room temperature, casing removed 5 eggs, divided 1 sheet all-butter puff pastry, thawed according to package directions 4 tsp roasted red peppers in olive oil, mild or spicy (store-bought is fine) finely chopped fresh basil, chives or flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional) Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, add mascarpone and nduja and blend well; set aside.

With a fork, beat 1 egg in a small bowl.

Place a length of parchment paper on the counter and flour very lightly. Unroll pastry onto paper and, with a floured rolling pin, carefully roll out dough to stretch it another 1 to 2 inches. Lift paper with dough onto a baking sheet.

With the tip of a sharp paring knife, cut sheet of pastry into 4 squares. Turn up edges of each pastry square to form a lip, pinching at the corners to keep in place. Brush edges of pastry squares with egg; prick bottom of squares several times with a fork.

Spread the mascarpone mixture among the four squares, making a depression in the centre of each.

Crack an egg into each depression and top with 1 tsp of the roasted peppers. If you have any runaway whites, pinch pastry edge to make it higher.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are puffed and golden and yolks are starting to set.

Sprinkle with chopped herbs, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Originally from Hudson, Quebec, Signe Langford is a restaurant chef-turnedwriter. Her first book, Happy Hens & Fresh Eggs: Keeping Chickens in the Kitchen Garden with 100 Recipes, was published in 2015. For more stories and recipes, please visit signelangford.com.

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GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 49

feature | Business home | House TourProfile

50 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

R epurposed W ith S tyle Refurbishing old furniture, promoting local artisans and keeping products pure is all in a day’s work at Halliday House & Co., an eclectic new decor shop in Cookstown

“I

By Dawn Ritchie | Mike GuilbaUlt

like taking the old and making it new,” says Jenn Halliday, owner of Halliday House & Co., the newest home decor shop in quaint downtown Cookstown. “Refurbishing a great piece that’s 100 years old and will last another 100 is not only fabulous, it’s sustainable.”

Opened last March, Halliday’s shop comprises 1,500 square feet spread across three rooms in a space that dates back to 1867. The building was originally both a home and storefront owned by the Clement family, and has since seen life as a haberdashery, billiards hall, restaurant/inn, barbershop and tea room.

Today, painted brickwork, original wood floors and whitewashed beams bring a fresh spirit to the sense of history. Antique bicycles are mounted on brick walls as art pieces. A hammock dangles longingly in the window, and crooks and crannies display Canadiana motifs.

The shop was designed to exude the serene atmosphere of Halliday’s favourite establishments (Lëuk in Collingwood and Anthropologie are two). “There’s something to be said for creating environments that are welcoming and warm,”

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 51

feature | Business Profile

52 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

she says. “I love when people come in for half an hour, walking and touching and smelling things.”

The main retail area offers an eclectic gathering of old and new. Many products are original creations from local artisans that Halliday actively seeks out. You’ll find everything from dishware and vintage furnishings to towels, cushions, knitted wear, soaps, lotions and nursery items. There are highly popular plush Turkish towels, gorgeous alpaca blankets, pretty glassware and wonderful little custom knits from Knits by Wylie out of Alliston.

Natural hand soaps and cleaning products

by Lotus Natural Living come from Barrie. Body butters and sugar scrubs are by Montreal’s ElskaBody, a company devoted to natural alternatives to water-polluting microbeads. And then there’s the unique handmade jewellery by Barrie’s Dawning Collectives, which craft the must-have necklaces of the day that include adorable lamas and even live air plants — yes, necklaces with living succulents.

Halliday also brings in fresh flowers a couple of times a month and sells her bouquets for $15.

Community Connection In addition to the retail space, the store houses a roomy studio where Halliday holds five different custom-painting workshops: monogrammed signs on barnboard, painted seasonal cushions and even chairs with distressed paint effects are all on the schedule.

Workshops run as low as $40 and up to $110 for a piece of furniture. All participants leave with their product. “I wanted to make price points that were accessible to bring in the local community,” Halliday says. “I tried to base workshops on things people can use and be proud of making.”

The shop’s third room was originally designated as the infant product area, but is slowly unfolding as Halliday’s paint display room, where she stocks popular mineral paint from Fusion, a Canadian company. “A lot of my business is based around the paint,” she says. “I get fellows in here, too. They love to repurpose furniture and make it new.”

Halliday also carries a vast collection of greeting cards from Barrie’s Sweet Simplicity Paper Co. “They are clean, simple, sweet white cards with black lettering,” Halliday says, who was a wedding and greeting card designer herself for 11 years while raising her three children. “I was the troll under the stairs. The

Delicious. Healthy. thy. Simp Simple.

Visit our retail shops to sample the highest quality extra virgin olive oils and flavoured oils from around the world, as well as aged dark and rich white balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy.

We also carry a full selection of gourmet foods and great gift ideas.

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Downtown: 45 Dunlop St. East 705.503.6457 (OILS) South: 31 Commerce Park Drive 705.792.0300 WWW.BARRIEOLIVEOIL.COM GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 53

feature | Business Profile house was covered in glitter. When my son was born, I changed his diaper and there was glitter all over him, and my husband said, ‘We have to rethink this.’”

A Family Business Her husband, Jason, is the picker for Halliday House, unearthing the vintage antiques that she rehabilitates for sale. “He’s the one digging around in the barns, climbing the ladders with a flashlight,” Halliday says.

“He’s done it since he was 16, but now he has a place to put them and it’s not overloading our house.”

In addition to Jason’s vintage treasures, you’ll also find lovely custom cushions, blankets, and pillows sewn by her mother, Joey Kitzman. “It’s why the store is called Halliday House & Co.,” Halliday explains. “I paint furniture, do custom painting, workshops, signs on barnboard and vintage frames; Jason picks; and Mom does sewing and custom projects for the store.”

This sense of style is deeply embedded in the family DNA and has been passed from generation to generation. “I come by it honestly,” Halliday says. “My mom was always redecorating when I was growing up, making curtains and tablecloths and rearranging the house. My grandma would take me to pick out wallpaper and paint at age five. I loved stencilling walls as a kid. It’s everything that got me here.”

Halliday went on to study fashion merchandising at George Brown College in Toronto and worked in visual merchandising for years, implementing floor sets and creating store displays for the likes of Coach and Ralph Lauren. But she always dreamed of having her own shop. Now that she finally has a brick-and-mortar store of her own, the reality still hasn’t fully sunk in. “It’s really kind of surreal and exciting,” Halliday says.

“The store is a huge commitment in time and money, but I love the social interaction with people. I wanted to create a place they can grab something great for themselves or a gift, participate in a workshop, do a little project.

A place where people can come visit, enjoy themselves and spend their money wisely.”

Halliday House & Co. 9 Queen Street, Cookstown facebook.com/hallidayhouseandco

54 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

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travel

Well, There You Go! Planning an autumn escape or a mini-getaway? Or, maybe you’re just on the move a lot. However and wherever you’re going, arriving with your health intact is key to success in both work and play. That’s where this clever kit comes in. The Saje Travel Safe On-the-Go Convenience Kit is designed to support your well-being wherever you go this fall, so you arrive soothed and refreshed. Safe Hands lotion fights germs to get you cleanly through airports and train stations; Arrive Revived Mist eases jet lag; and Restoral Ointment soothes skin irritations. Perhaps most importantly, the Eater’s Digest Remedy relieves an upset stomach. (Take that, turkey dinner!) It’s the perfect companion for travel by plane, train or car to Thanksgiving feasts this season. $44.95, Saje.com — Karen Robock

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 57

travel | Smarts

How to

Save for a Holiday Why do you never get out of Dodge? Because you’re not trying hard enough. The biggest reason people don’t travel is they think they can’t afford it.

You’re smarter than that

By Doug Wallace

58 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

1. Believe it. Adopt the mindset that “you can do it” rather than mentally shutting down your travel goals the minute you envision them.

2. Schedule it. Pick the best time of year to visit your dream destination, then assign it a month — and a year if it’s a doozy.

It’s harder to back out of something once you’ve put it on the calendar and your whole family has seen it.

3. Timing is everything. Travelling just before or after high season can lead to savings, and some destinations offer deals during these low periods.

4. Take the long view. Start browsing for vacation packages well before the rest of the world does. Buy the flights as soon as you can, so that when travel time comes, they’re already paid off.

5. Grow it. Contribute a few dollars every week or every paycheque to a fund created specifically for the trip. Do the math and establish a monthly contribution goal or, better yet, set up an automatic savings option through online banking. Even a wee amount will add up quickly.

6. Throw in the points. Redeem any travel reward points collected on your credit card.

Sign up for frequent-flyer memberships with all the airlines if you haven’t already.

Ditto for the hotel chains, which often results in free breakfast — even an upgrade.

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South Simcoe Hall of Fame Celebration

takes place on October 24th at 6:30pm at the Gibson Centre.

Come out and celebrate these local citizens nominated for the difference they make in our community!

7. Pad it. Kick in all the extra funds that come your way: dividends, work bonus, piggy bank, $10 lottery-ticket win, everything.

8. Package it. When booking, take advantage of any bundling options when you can, particularly with websites like Expedia.ca.

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9. Research deeper. Find discount accommodations like family-run B&Bs and decent hostels so you can splurge elsewhere.

10. Think small. While online sites like Hotels.com and Trivago.ca can be true friends, consider that privately owned hotels are easier to negotiate with about both rates and room upgrades. You may have to just turn on the charm when the time comes.

11. Go local. If saving is extremely difficult for you, spend your vacation time in a neighbouring community or at a country inn or spa. You don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve been away.

12. Reach out. Any university friends or long-lost relatives with spare rooms in far-off places? Go for it. Just remember Benjamin Franklin’s rule: Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.

TRENDS

Ronny & Tara

AND OTHER LOCAL C O U PL E S S H A RE T H E I R ST O RY....

A DV E RT I S E Y O U R BU S I N E S S I N T H E F I N E ST W E D D I N G P U BL I C AT I O N I N T H E R E GI O N O R SU B M I T Y O U R W E D D I N G F O R C O N S I D E R AT I O N F O R A N U P C OM I N G E D I T I O N

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travel | Vaycay

GOING GUANACASTE Home to everything from sandy beaches to dry forests to protected wetlands, the Guanacaste region in northwestern Costa Rica plays an excellent host Story and photos by Doug Wallace

F

or the health-conscious traveller, finding a natural balance between relaxing solace and unbridled activity is the backbone of any good plan. With the variety of things to see and do in Guanacaste, not to mention the incredibly diverse terrain, you can easily feed mind, body and soul, making the most of your time — or making it stand still. Here is your checklist.

60 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 61

travel | Vaycay

1. GET BACK TO NATURE. It’s often hard for vacationers to evaluate the healing power of simply embracing nature, until after they return home. This holds true in the Nicoya region of Guanacaste, a tourist hub for those heading to rainforest, parkland or beach. It is also one of the five “Blue Zones,” designated parts of the world where residents have abnormally high life expectancies. Nicoyans are proud of this association, as shared Blue Zone characteristics include a focus on family, a semi-vegetarian diet rich in legumes, constant physical activity and engagement in the community.

The water in Nicoya is also said to contribute to the healthful tenor of the region, championed by William Salom, owner of Rancho Humo, a private ecological reserve and cattle ranch near Palo Verde National Park. “Drink as much as you like,” he says.

“The well is deep!”

Salom converted what was once his family vacation property into a 10-room paradise, where the surrounding wetlands is home to dozens of bird species, including herons, storks, gulls and ibises.

Watching dozens of big, white egrets nesting in the foliage of a tiny island sanctuary has a powerful, hypnotic effect. And when 62 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

you spend an hour boating down the Tempisque River trying to spot baby crocodile eyes poking up out of the water among all the floating driftwood, your mind drifts right along with the passing waterline (ranchohumo.com).

2. HIT THE BEACH. If beach bumming is written in pen on your itinerary, Guanacaste has more than its fair share of sun and sand, from the Santa Rosa National Park in the north right on down to the Pacific coastline. Some are remote and super-quiet, while others are full-on beach towns, teeming with surfboards, beach bars, water sports and condo rentals.

Nosara Beach is a great getaway known for its yoga retreats, hiking, farmland, forest and waterfalls (nosara.com, nosarayoga.com).

3. TREAT YOURSELF. We all know how far a little posh pampering can go. The Papagayo Peninsula has that in spades. This so-called Gold Coast is known for its luxury and exclusivity, not to mention a close proximity to the Liberia airport and its popularity with the rich and famous: Beyoncé has visited a few times and Pink got married here. Charlie Sheen, Spike Lee and Madonna all have homes here. Yachts, big

and small, moor at the Papagayo Marina on the Culebra Bay side of the peninsula, the largest marina in the country.

If the Four Seasons is too rich for your blood, melt your cares away at the relatively new Andaz Peninsula Papagayo. This is a Hyatt spinoff, a boutique lifestyle brand with 153 exquisitely designed rooms, blended right in among the bamboo trees, and blackand white-sand beaches.

“We really try to reflect the local culture with little touches that all mean something to Costa Ricans — details that make you feel welcome,” says Mariela Cabezas, the hotel’s marketing manager. These little touches include a gorgeous swimming pool designed to mimic the riverside, drawing a parallel to the Costa Rican tradition of enjoying family time at the river’s edge. Guests are also encouraged to participate in visiting the local people, through various sponsored initiatives, having a cultural experience as well as a relaxing one.

The spa is particularly beautiful. Each spacious treatment room has its own washroom and mini-balcony, plus both outdoor and indoor showers. Body-treatment and housebrand Biosfera spa products are made with local ingredients — purple corn, beans and

rice exfoliants — all natural and organic.

The orange-and-eucalyptus signature scent is the nearest thing to heaven (papagayo.andaz. hyatt.com) 4. AMP UP THE ADRENALIN. This area is also full of adventure-sports opportunities thanks in part to the variety of natural terrain, with its forest trails and rocky canyons with winding river rapids.

Nowhere is this more abundant than at Hacienda Guachipelin at the edge of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park. This hotel and working ranch compound leads the pack in terms of waterfall rappelling, canyoning, river tubing, zip lining, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and horseback riding.

There’s even a surprisingly extensive yet not-too-scary Serpentarium for you to eye up more than a few indigenous snakes (guachipelin.com).

5. TAKE THE WATERS. Part of the Hacienda Guachipelin complex includes nearby Rio Negro Hot Springs, where thermal hot springs and spa mud baths, courtesy of the 9,000-year-old Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, take your mind off absolutely everything except how nice your skin feels.

Tucked away at the edge of the river in the middle of the forest are six natural mineral water pools, with a vat of mud stewing in a big clay pot near the hot springs vent by the riverbank. Paintbrushes are at the ready for you to create your body art. Once you’re covered from head to toe, you let your mud mask dry before washing it off with a cool outdoor shower or a dip in the river.

More extensive body treatments and massages can be enjoyed at Simbiosis Volcanic Mud Springs & Spa, also associated with the Hacienda (guachipelin.com).

6. MAKE A PLAN. With average highs of 30°C year-round, Guanacaste is primed for a visit any time, depending on your threshold for rain. High season is from November to April. From May to August, it may rain in the afternoon and during the night, but you can still get your fair share of sun. Whichever month you choose, the Costa Rican pura vida philosophy will be there waiting for you. Translating into “pure life,” this phrase is akin to “aloha” in Hawaii, an expression and greeting that embraces the authentic things in life — just as the Costa Ricans do (visitcostarica.com).

tell us where to go.....

Seriously......

For the past few years, GoodLife Magazine has brought the finest in lifestyle to the forefront for residents of Alliston, New Tecumseth and surrounding areas.

We are proud of the support we give to local businesses, the homes we have the opportunity to showcase, the destinations we have visit, and the artists and events we profile.

As we start our plans for 2018, we would like to hear from you - our readers and our advertisers what else we can do to make GoodLife even better.

So....tell us where to go, who to talk to, or what else you want to know about Simcoe County.

If you think it’s interesting, we want to hear about it!

Email: goodlife@simcoe.com subject: GoodLife Idea

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 63

feature | Images Studio Tour

It’s the season of crisp days, brilliant leaves, bright blue skies and the Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour

From photographer Jan Novak.

Autumn’s Gifts

By Patti Vipond

T

hough summer tends to be the favourite season for many in Ontario, the arrival of autumn brings its own particular pleasures. Think about how your heart lifts the first time you see a blazing red maple, or the first bracing day you can retrieve your favourite soft sweater or fleece jacket from summer storage. Then there’s Thanksgiving, where a fabulous dinner and lots of time to talk renews the joy of relationships among family and friends. Plus, there’s the twilight thrill of Halloween on the horizon.

In central Ontario, autumn also heralds the anticipated arrival of the Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour, October 6 through 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year, the annual artist-run, juried event marks 34 years of showcasing the work of some of the province’s best artists at their studios. The

64 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

self-guided tour gives visitors the opportunity to meet and chat with 30 artists at 19 studios in beautiful Horseshoe Valley, the charming town of Orillia and along the gorgeous shores of Lake Simcoe. The artists welcome visitors to ask about how they work and their paths as artists, or to just view superb sculpture, pottery, photography, painting, turned wood, textiles and jewellery.

New to the tour this year is stone carver Irene Sirko. She appears as a guest artist at Stop L in Horseshoe Valley. Sirko knew sculpting was in her future from the first time she set her hands on stone to learn the art. Her ability to feel flow and form results in simple, organic abstract sculpture that lets viewers discover their own perspectives.

Sirko’s pieces reflect her appreciation for stone as a medium.

Returning for his second year (after a brief

hiatus) is renowned contemporary artist Charles Pachter, who will be at Stop U in Orillia, a.k.a. Pachter’s Moose Factory studio.

Even if you’re not familiar with the painter, printmaker, sculptor, designer and lecturer himself, you’ve likely seen his iconic pop paintings of waving Canadian flags, Queen Elizabeth and assorted Canadian moose. His work has been displayed at the Art Gallery of Ontario, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and internationally. However, tour visitors only have to drive to Orillia to see his amazing work.

Jan Novak, an award-winning photographer and chair of the Images Studio Tour steering committee, persuaded Pachter to come back to the tour in 2016. Part of the allure was an innovative marketing plan featuring a series of video documentaries about the Images Tour and its artists in

New to the tour this year is stone carver Irene Sirko.

From oil painter Murray Van Halem.

From wooden-bowl scuptor Arnold Veen.

From painter Nancy Jones.

From painter Kathryn Kaiser.

“Their art is their passion, so they can very easily talk about what they do,” Novak explains partnership with CTV Bell Media. A nineminute documentary about the long-running tour features 10 artists; shorter films showcase individual artists, and trailers to advertise the tour were shot as well. The documentaries can be seen on YouTube on the Bell Fibe system.

In their videos, the artists are at ease, working in their studios and talking about their work and techniques. “Their art is their passion, so they can very easily talk about what they do,” Novak explains. “Charles Pachter’s video was filmed in stages — before the tour, on the first day and after the tour. It’s quite funny, and he thought it was great.”

Novak’s robust marketing and a shakeup of the tour’s target market last year resulted in crowds that had artists calling him on Sunday to say they had sold all of their original works.

Visitors who want to avoid the crowds

and have the widest selection of artwork may be well advised to come on Friday, the traditionally quieter opening day. “Because Friday is a working day, it is calm, like a warm-up,” Novak says.

“Artists get the quirks out of the way, figure out how to get things positioned. On Saturday, people can be lined up at the front door. If it’s raining, they may come at noon. Normally for us, between noon and 4 p.m. is absolute organized chaos.”

Crowds are one sign of the popularity of the Images Tour, but so is the number of artists who have been on the tour for decades, or even from the very beginning. On this year’s tour, veteran artists such as potter Gary Brierley, painters Dave Beckett and Wendy Bermingham, and sculptor/imagineer Jimi McKee will be happily opening their studios

to visitors once again on Thanksgiving weekend.

For next year’s 35th anniversary of the Thanksgiving Images Studio Tour, Novak is inviting other original founders and hoping they will come for the celebration. But for now, he and the 30 artists on the Images Tour are anticipating a fabulous time greeting and chatting with art lovers and art-lovers-to-be.

“Our artists have a following,” Novak says. “[Devotees] bring their spouses and kids and friends to see their favourite artists’ works. I know people who buy a couple of pieces every year from different studios. It makes you feel good because you know people appreciate what you do. We had one artist who people wanted to photograph and would ask him for his autograph. I told him to get used to it.”

GoodLifeMagazine.ca | 65

like a local

A rich and Colourful History Nicolston, founded by John Nicol in 1853 was originally know as “Carluke” which is Gaelic for “Valley surrounded by Hills”.The business is run by the 5th & 6th generation. As with many of the settlements, Nicolston started with the establishment of a saw mill which later converted into a flour and grist mill when supplies of timber were exhausted. The original dam and mill stand, as well as the secondary dam which was constructed to supply power for a woollen mill. This woollen mill, owned by George Upton, was one of the first to supply the T.Eaton Company with woollen supplies for sock and underwear. Today the site serves as a recreational campground and the largest dam incorporates a fish ladder to aid in the migration of rainbow trait and salmon to their spawning ground far upstream. Courtesy of NicolstonDamRVPark.ca

66 | GoodLife South Simcoe Fall 2017

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