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TAKE PART IN OUR PUZZLE CHALLENGE • Collect one puzzle piece in each issue (6) of Lifestyle Magazine in 2022 and assemble the puzzle. • Include your name, address, phone number, email address and mail to Oke Woodsmith Building Systems at 70964 Bluewater Hwy, Box 9, Grand Bend, ON N0M 1T0. • The first completed puzzle received by mail will be given
A NICE HOLIDAY SURPRISE.
If you miss an issue of Lifestyle Magazine, go to okewoodsmith.com to find the missing piece.
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Owned and operated by Marv & Drew Stephenson www.corbelrenovation.com May/June 2022 Lifestyle 7
EDITOR’S note BUILDING ORIGINAL HOMES FOR ORIGINAL PEOPLE We’ll make your next home as original as you are Why settle for a run-of-the-mill custom home when you can have an entirely original one? With a planning process that starts with nothing more than your dreams and a blank sheet of paper, you can be sure your Riverstone Original Home will be every bit as unique and remarkable as you are. We’ve been building original homes for well over 20 years now, and each one has been entirely different than the one before it. And that’s exactly how it should be.
www.riverstoneoriginalhomes.com 519.666.3537 homesbyriverstone@gmail.com Mike Loyens • Travis Loyens
8 Lifestyle May/June 2022
We’re here for a good time. Not a long time. So have a good time. The sun can’t shine every day. TROOPER
W
hen 2020 rolled in, we thought the roaring ‘20s were back. Many people celebrated by throwing themed New Year’s Eve parties with friends dressed as flappers and gangsters. We were happy to have some of the events of the late teens behind us: a troubled White House for our neighbours to the south, New Zealand’s worst mass shooting and locally we dealt with the fallout of Elizabeth Wettlaufer’s crimes to name a few. So, 2020 was a numerological beacon of hope, signalling a turning of the corner for many. But the rug was quickly pulled out from under us in March when the world came to a screeching halt. Now that we are rounding the corner and have accepted that COVID will join colds and the flu as something we have to take precautions against each year, the light beckons again. We will soon be halfway through 2022, and it is time to let the ‘20s roar again. I always include a pertinent, and hopefully inspiring, quote at the top of this space in each issue. And this one is no different because the words of Canadian hair band Trooper shed light on my favourite lesson of the past two and a half years – celebrate both normal and extraordinary things every day. The beginning May, in southwestern Ontario, is always worth celebrating since it signals the end to boot-andcoat time and the beginning of shortsand-sunhats season. This summer will be especially sweet and enjoyable as we
feel more confident visiting with larger groups of family and friends, sitting on restaurant patios, hosting big backyard barbecues or block parties, attending festivals and generally getting back to all of the usual warm weather activities. Money set aside for the past two summer vacations can be used to explore the province, the country or the world. My husband and I have had to cancel numerous trips abroad that were planned and now we are beyond excited to be able to start planning new adventures. While Trooper’s words ring true, the pandemic has taught us something else: take nothing for granted and be ready to change direction quickly. In the past we may have planned a trip to Europe with no thought to the idea that we might not be able to go. It is our right as free people to go wherever we want whenever we want, right? So, taking the tenuous state of geopolitics and ongoing pandemic issues into consideration, we plan but we do not emotionally invest. I am not getting ‘married’ to the idea of taking a plane ride until it is actually taking off. I am ready to let 2022 roar as I dig back into everyday activities that we can no longer take for granted. Are you?
Jill Ellis-Worthington lifestyle.editor@writedoton.com
LIFESTYLE
magazine PUBLISHER Lana L. Breier
contents
58
M AY | J U N E 202 2
EDITOR Jill Ellis-Worthington EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Ellen Ashton-Haiste WRITERS Ellen Ashton-Haiste Clare Dear Jill Ellis-Worthington Janis Wallace ACCOUNT MANAGERS Annette Gent 519-200-0283 annettegent537@gmail.com Lorraine Lukings 519-520-7676 lorrainelukings@hotmail.com
HOMESTYLE 10 And the winner is
Grand Bend home is a champ
10
Jan McGrath 519-243-2932 jm@lambtonshores.com
42 Cosmetic surgery
Does it make sense for you
19
TRAVELSTYLE 49 Catch a sound wave Live music on the coast
52 Golf galore
Ontario resort beckons
BESTLIFE 57 Market mania
Lifestyle is published six times a year
Old is new in Port Stanley
24
Copies are distributed to selected homes, magazine stands and local businesses in London and area.
58 Feathered friends
Attract birds to your yard
SPECIALSECTION 37 Building trust BBB rebranding for new generation
Canada Post Agreement #41277015 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada.
In window treatments
Colour, size, shape, style
WEB ARCHITECTURE Redding Design Inc. www.reddingdesigns.com
by 2251632 Ontario Inc. c.o.b. Lifestyle Magazine 108 Tuyll Street, Bayfield N0M 1G0 519-873-0989 lifestylemagazinepublishing@gmail.com
32 What’s new
24 It’s all about you
AD DESIGN Nancy Greenfield Bill McGrath
PHOTOGRAPHY BAIN IMAGES Richard Bain / Jesse Bellringer
Trending tones
YOURSTYLE
EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN Wendy Reid
PRODUCTION Nancy Greenfield
19 50 shades of décor
BIZLIFE
52
47 Salon Entrenous 61 Covers Designers’ Edge 62 Riverstone Original Homes May/June 2022 Lifestyle 9
homestyle
DREAM HOME is a winner OKE WOODSMITH SCORES DUAL ACE AWARDS By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
10 Lifestyle May/June 2022
“We are the real winners. We picked the right builder, and we love everything about our home.” FRED GROENESTEGE, HOMEOWNER
T
here is a house in Grand Bend that is literally stopping traffic. This is no surprise, as it is the winner of two 2021 Awards of Creative Excellence (ACE) from the London Home Builders’ Association for builder Oke Woodsmith Systems. “Cars stop all the time, and people will get out to take pictures,” says Oke
OPPOSITE PAGE The rear courtyard’s curved upper deck and lower poolside covered patio offer spaces to maximize enjoyment of outdoor activities. TOP The pool, with a 50-foot curving water slide from the upper deck, is the centerpiece of the outdoor living space. An adjacent ‘man cave/ she cave’ provides an additional games and storage area. ABOVE The stone and siding exterior enhanced by the covered front porch creates eye-catching curb appeal.
Woodsmith president Randall Oke. “It’s become part of our life,” agrees Fred Groenestege, homeowner with his wife Shelley. “We realize it’s a compliment because they’re stopping to admire the features,” Shelley says. Those features – from the grey stone and blue siding exterior to the extensive backyard entertainment and pool area – contributed to winning the ACE
awards for Best Outdoor Living Space and Best New Single Family Home $1.5 and $2 million. But while it is an appreciated commendation, the Groenesteges say, “We are the real winners. We picked the right builder, and we love everything about our home.” The one-storey residence, with a lower-level walkout and loft above the oversized double-car garage, incorpo-
May/June 2022 Lifestyle 11
rates 6,000 square feet. But despite the house’s size “it feels very homey and not extravagant,” Fred says. “It’s so livable,” Oke says. “The main floor living area – kitchen, dining and great room – is a fantastic focal point. Entering the foyer, with its barrel ceiling carried through from the covered porch, looks straight through to the back terrace. It is awe-inspiring.” This open-concept area – flowing from the kitchen to the great room – is one of the Groenesteges’ favourite spots for relaxing. It is dominated by a stone fireplace that reaches from floor to the cathedral ceiling. A wall of windows and patio doors overlooks the rear terrace and yard, providing natural light and an airy ambiance. For Shelley, the kitchen – with its white cabinetry, brown and tan veined granite counters and island with seating for eight – is a dream come true. “It’s the heart of the home,” she says. An adjacent pantry
~ Continued on page 14
12 Lifestyle May/June 2022
TOP LEFT The great room is dominated by a stone fireplace, stretching from floor to the cathedral ceiling. TOP RIGHT The lower level family room features a stone fireplace and accesses the poolside patio. CENTRE LEFT The spa-like primary bedroom ensuite features a shower and free-standing bathtub. CENTRE RIGHT The lower level family gathering area includes a bar and kitchenette. BOTTOM The upper rear deck has an outdoor fireplace with covered seating area.
May/June 2022 Lifestyle 13
DREAM HOME IS A WINNER ~ Continued from page 12
The kitchen is anchored by an oversized island with seating for eight.
The 2021 ACE winner for Best Outdoor Living Space and Best New Single-Family Home between $1.5 and $2 million. 14 Lifestyle May/June 2022
TOP A large pantry off the kitchen offers ideal extra space for meal preparation and clean-up. RIGHT The main level has a convenient laundry and sewing room.
ABOVE The foyer’s barrel ceiling is carried through from the covered front entry. May/June 2022 Lifestyle 15
DREAM HOME IS A WINNER ~ Continued from page 15
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16 Lifestyle May/June 2022
features a wine fridge, sink and dishwasher. It comes in handy when hosting the couple’s large family and while entertaining friends. With the primary bedroom and spa-like ensuite, as well as a laundry room and den on the main floor, “we have everything we need on this level,” Fred says. “So, it’s very comfortable for us.” The lower level is the gathering place for family visits. It includes five bedrooms, one for each of the couple’s grown children. The family room contains a games area with a bar that opens to a covered patio. Its floor-toceiling stone fireplace echoes the one above in the great room. The above-garage loft, with multiple beds and play area, is the hangout for the grandkids. “They think it’s really cool,” Shelley says. The backyard living space, described by Oke as “their own water park,” features an upper terrace, with a stone fireplace and covered seating area, above the lower poolside patio. The pièce de resistance is a 50-foot curved water slide from the upper deck to the pool. The space also includes two outdoor showers and has access to a bathroom on the home’s lower level. A separate building, dubbed the ‘man cave/she cave,’ offers additional play space with a ping-pong table and an assortment of games. It also has storage for pool equipment and other outdoor accessories. The other aspect of the home that the Groenesteges appreciate is its location. Two blocks from the town’s main intersection, it is just minutes to shops and restaurants and the popular Grand Bend beach. “The location is perfect. We can walk anywhere,” Fred says. From any perspective this home is a winner. Says Shelley: “We've got the home of our dreams.” ● FOR MORE INFORMATION
OKE WOODSMITH SYSTEMS 70964 Bluewater Highway, Grand Bend 519-238-8893 • www.okewoodsmith.com
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May/June 2022 Lifestyle 17
the COMPLETE LOOK
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If it’s home, it’s Jennings!
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St. Thomas, Ontario • 519.494.0787 alexelleslipcovers.com alexelleslipcovers@gmail.com GINETTE MINOR
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POWERVIEW AND SOMFY AUTOMATION EXPERTS
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May/June 2022 Lifestyle 19
Family-owned for over 45 years
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20 Lifestyle May/June 2022
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May/June 2022 Lifestyle 21
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May/June 2022 Lifestyle 23
yourstyle
colour
bring on bold GETTING DRESSED IS FUN AGAIN By Jill Ellis-Worthington
“We haven’t put emphasis on or excitement into getting dressed for the last couple of years, so we’re ready to have fun and be playful. You can see that in the colours in the trends,” Victoria Baird, image and style consultant.
Nic+Zoe’s 100 per cent cotton Sunset Seeker Jacket is perfect for cool evening walks and is available at Studio Style.
24 Lifestyle May/June 2022
COLOUR BLOCKING – mixing garments in bright, often contrasting, colours – is a fun trend this spring and summer, according to Baird. Donning tones of bright pink and bright green may not be everyone’s first choice but pairing a top and jacket in one and shorts, pants or a skirt in the other is a hot right now. If full colourblocking is too much too soon for you, Baird recommends breaking it up with a belt or just using a pop of vivid colour in your purse or shoes. DIVA Coach Jean L. Price also loves to see her clients in energetic colours that
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721 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON
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ON ALL PROFESSIONAL SALON PRODUCTS
CHECK OUT OUR RED HOT DEALS 1 Designed by Margo Morrison New York, the baroque pearl, multi-stone double strand necklace is available at Hangar9. 2 Jeans in all styles and colour washes are now available and in style for easy summer living. (Hangar9) 3 Layering chunky jewelry draws the eye up to the face. Designed by Pono (large chain) and Biko (small chain) and available at Hangar9. 4 A nod to menswear, Nic+Zoe’s Scribble Vines Blouse is available at Studio Style. 5 The Juno top, made of viscose and elastin, comes from Kollontai of Quebec. Available at Curiosities. 6 Made from lightweight sustainably sourced cotton, the Glowing Blossoms Crinkle top is a cool choice on hot days. It comes from Nic+Zoe and is available at Studio Style.
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OPEN TO THE PUBLIC www.thebso.com
45 Oxford Street West • London
519.660.4545 May/June 2022 Lifestyle 25
1
2
Nic+Zoe transitions from cool mornings to warmer afternoons by layering these two jacket/top combinations from Studio Style. 1 The Vital Splatter Jacket is paired with a V-neck Space Dye Vital Tank in cool blue while classic black and white is offered in the Perfect Knit Snap Jacket and Shibori Shirt Tail Perfect Tank. (2) 3 & 4 Available at Curiosities and made in Montreal, Melow offers distinction and freedom of movement for all silhouettes.
26 Lifestyle May/June 2022
3
4
1
1 Produced in Europe, this colourful, comfortable linen three-button jacket comes from Mara Gibbucci.
2
3
2 Flow through summer, with this combo from Grizas, based in Lithuania. 3 Perfect for both work and play, this jacket and wide culottes from Amici are made in Italy from cotton and linen. All clothes this page are available at Cora Couture.
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May/June 2022 Lifestyle 27
1
2
3
1 Reflecting summer’s idyllic blue waters, the Brushed Waves Dress is a flattering choice. 2 The Eaze Tie Dress has an adjustable waist and dolman sleeves. 3 Be noticed in the Colourful Canopy Dress layered with the Lightweight 4-way Cardigan. All from Nic+Zoe and available at Studio Style.
~ Continued on page 30
28 Lifestyle May/June 2022
H EAR
INGAIDS
S O D I S C R E E T Y O U L L N E E D N E W G L A S S E S J U S T T O F I N D T H E M
May/June 2022
Lifestyle 29
BRING ON BOLD COLOUR ~ Continued from page 28
2100 Oxford St. E., Unit 41 London, ON 519-451-2124 www.elmirastoveworks.ca
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express their inner nature, and she helps them pick the most flattering clothes for their body type. For instance, Kate Winslet is a good example of an ‘hourglass’ shape, with hips and shoulders about the same width and a defined waist. Wrap dresses are flattering for her. Other body types want to achieve this type of balance. ‘Apples’ carry their weight in the middle, like Oprah, so V-neck tops look great on her. Jennifer Lopez is an example of someone who is a ‘pear,’ with more weight carried on the lower half of the body. Price recommends wearing chunky jewelry to bring attention to the face. ‘Rectangles,’ like Cameron Diaz, have hips, waist and shoulders almost the same width. They can wear belts to help define the waist. Being aware of trends but not blindly following them is how Susan Jacobs, of Personal Style Consulting, guides her clients. The biggest one she sees right now is our new devotion to being comfortable at all times and a hunger for vibrant colour. “Leisure wear isn’t going to be forgotten about,” explains Jacobs. “It will be more chic but still comfortable.” Oversized, repurposed blazers are also big. “Roll the sleeves up; it’s exaggerated casual.” Her advice for picking the best clothes: “Fit your most tricky part first, even if it means getting a size larger than normal and having it tailored. Then you’ll have a garment especially made for you, and you’ll feel like a million bucks.” ● FOR MORE INFORMATION CORA COUTURE 78 Ontario Street, Stratford • 519-273-9377 53 Market Place, Stratford • 519-271-1515 www.coracouture.com CURIOSITIES GIFT SHOP 174 1/2 Wortley Road 519-432-0434 • www.curiositiesgiftshop.com HANGAR9 620 Richmond Street 519-672-0073 • www.hangar9.ca LIFESTYLES WOMEN’S WEAR 615 Richmond Street 519-663-1143 • www.lifestylesww.ca STYLE STUDIO 215 Main Street, Port Stanley 519-782-7467 • www.studiostyle.ca VICTORIA BAIRD • www.victoriabaird.com SUSAN JACOBS • www.personalstyleconsulting.com JEAN L. PRICE • www.Facebook/theDIVAcoach
30 Lifestyle May/June 2022
homestyle
32 Lifestyle May/June 2022
OPPOSITE PAGE AND ABOVE The relaxed flowing feeling of floor-to-ceiling sheers complements the relaxed vibe many homeowners prefer.
BEHIND THE By Ellen Ashton Haiste
SAFETY AND EASE OF USE DOMINATE WINDOW COVERING TRENDS
curtain
Versatility is becoming a watchword for trends in window
coverings. This is being driven by two major factors: an increase in the number and size of windows in today’s homes and legislation banning corded blinds and draperies.
May/June 2022 Lifestyle 33
TOP Sheer blinds allow in light but give privacy where needed. BELOW Contemporary, modern or traditional, automated sheers work with any design style.
“More people are doing motorization and with the new regulations it is going to be the trend of the future.” WILLI VAN DEVEN DESIGNER AT COVERS DESIGNERS’ EDGE
~ Continued on page 36
34 Lifestyle May/June 2022
EDITOR’S note
BEHIND THE CURTAIN ~ Continued from page 34
We’re here for a good time. Not a long time. So have a good time. The sun can’t shine every day. TROOPER
W
feel more confident visiting with larger hen 2020 rolled in, we groups of family and friends, thought the roaring Automated blinds work well when safety is a concern for families with young children,sitting and areon restaurant patios, hosting big backyard ‘20s can werebeback. Many easy to use when mobility an issue later in life. barbecues or block parties, attending people celebrated festivals and generally getting back to by throwing themed all of thewith usuallight warm weather activities. New Year’s Eve parties with friends That legislation, effective this “Sheers filter linings look Money set aside for the past two dressed as flappers and gangsters. spring, is set to drastically change gorgeous. You get the look and also summer vacations can be used to happy tocoverings have some of the the We facewere of window going more privacy.” forward, Janice Brock, co-owner explore the province, or Layering drapes is the out,country Van Deven events ofsays the late teens behind us: a oftroubled CustomWhite Shades of London adds. “When the world. Mylayering, husband it’s andaIblind have had House for ourand neighExeter’s Covers. “It’s going and a drape or a blind a sheer, to cancel numerous tripsand abroad that bours toCustom the south, New Zealand’s toworst be a mass huge shooting change for of us,” depending onand the now desired of were planned we degree are beyond andalllocally we she says, noting that it will push the opacity or privacy.” excited to be able to start planning dealt with the fallout of Elizabeth current trend to automation. Shades and blinds with dual new adventures. Wettlaufer’s crimes to name a few. “More people are doing motorizafunction are gaining in popularity, While Trooper’s words ring true, So, 2020 was a numerological tion and with the new regulations it Brock says. She cites the example of the pandemic taught us something beacon of hope, signalling a turning is going to be the trend of the future,” sheers with a has built-in roller shade. else: take nothing for granted be of the corner for many. But the rug agrees Willi Van Deven, designer at “At night the roller shade canand come ready to change direction quickly. In was quickly pulled out from under us Covers Designers’ Edge. down to provide privacy or darkness the past we may havethere’s planned a trip inStyle March the world cameintothe a haswhen not been forgotten and during the day a soft to Europe no thought push to achieve look with with the sheer fabric.”to the idea screeching halt.better functionality. Flowing are replacing Banded – ornot ‘zebra’ – shades that we might be able to go. Itare is Now ripple that wefolds are rounding the pinch pleats as a popular in popular they are to attractive, our rightsince as free people go wherever corner and have acceptedlook that COVID drapes, Brock says. called versatile and available at a lower we want whenever we want, right? price So, will join colds and“Sometimes the flu as something a we wave drape, they’re stylish and point, adds Brock. These feature solid taking the tenuous state of geopolitics have to take precautions against contemporary and operate under a and sheer bands, attached to a bar at and ongoing pandemic issues into each year, the light beckons again. We decorative rod.” These have the top and bottom, allowing a continuous consideration, we plan but we do not will soon be halfway through 2022, advantage of being hand-drawn as roll-over to control the amount of light. emotionally am Brock not getting and it is time to let the ‘20s roar again. opposed to operating with a cord. Both Van invest. Deven Iand note ‘married’ to the idea of taking a plane I always include a pertinent, and According to Brock, sheers are that drapery colours are warming rideauntil it is from actually taking off. hopefully inspiring, quote at the top of making a comeback. up, change previously popular I am readyVan to let 2022sees roarmore as I dig this spaceare in hot, eachhot, issue. Andagrees this one is “They hot,” Van cool greys. Deven taupe back into everyday activities that while we can Deven. The updated tones, with punches of colour, no different because versions the wordsare of often lined, offering softness ofshed fabric Brock thinks andAre prints no longer take textures for granted. you? Canadian hairthe band Trooper light and the favourite practicality of of light will be more popular. on my lesson thecontrol. past two and a half years – celebrate both normal and extraordinary things every day. The beginning May, in southwestern ● FOR MORE INFORMATION Ontario, is always worth celebrating CUSTOM COVERS CUSTOM SHADES OF LONDON COVERS DESIGNERS’ since it signals the EDGE end to boot-and415 Main Street, Exeter 1422shortsFanshawe Park Road West 297 Exeter Roadbeginning of coat time and the 519-601-4443 519-652-0222 and-sunhats season. This summer will Jill Ellis-Worthington 519-235-2444 www.customcoversontario.ca www.customshadesoflondon.ca www.coverscanada.ca lifestyle.editor@writedoton.com be especially sweet and enjoyable as we 36 Lifestyle May/June 2022
bizlife
Building Business Better
INTEGRITY AND TRUST ARE HALLMARKS FOR THE BBB
F
By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
or more than a century, the Better Business Bureau has been the go-to organization to guarantee integrity in the business world. Now, in the 21st century, the Bureau is promoting its brand to new generations of consumers and business owners. “We are on a mission to demonstrate our relevance on both the consumer and business side and to facilitate the operation of a fair and ethical marketplace,” says Jennifer Matthews, chief executive officer for the BBB serving Western Ontario. Trust and integrity are the cornerstones of the organization, Matthews says. In order to be accredited, businesses are thoroughly vetted and must commit to a set of practice standards. Once approved, the business is listed on the Bureau’s website and may use the BBB logo on its materials. “Having that seal attached to its brand elevates the business in the marketplace,” she says. “It’s a sign that it’s a business consumers can trust.” If a business fails to live up to those standards, the status can be revoked, and prospective customers can see reviews – both positive and negative – on the website. On the consumer side, the Bureau offers multiple services in addition to ensuring business credibility. “We work a great deal on fraud prevention, helping
consumers avoid potential scams,” Matthews says. The website includes a ‘scam tracker’ section, where people who feel they have been victimized can record their experiences as a precaution for others. The BBB also monitors the reports and sends out media warnings when a trend is detected. Recently, Scam Tracker Risk Report was added to this section, listing the top 10 risks in Canada in 2021. Number One on the list was crypto currency, which Matthews says speaks to the BBB’s relevancy for a younger demographic. “It’s often assumed that it’s an elderly population that is vulnerable, but all age groups are hit by scams. This is why everybody can use our services.” Those services include events like a recent ‘data destruction day,’ working with the Environmental Recycling Association and Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to safely shred electronic hard drives that might contain personal identification data. The Bureau also provides advice and tips to increase awareness of dangers such as social media phishing schemes and online shopping hazards, which was the Number One risk tracked in the U.S. in 2021. As a non-profit agency, all services provided by the BBB are free of charge to consumers.
Able Property Management 519-671-9774 www.ableproperty.org Better Business Bureau Serving Western Ontario 519-673-3222 www.bbb.org Boutique Firenze 519-649-4122 www.boutiquefirenze.ca Definitive Lawn & Garden Service 519-709-6763 www.definitivelawngardenservice.com Home Planet Properties Group 519-854-6001 www.homeplanetpropertiesgroup.com Hyde Park Equipment Ltd. Hyde Park:519-471-1400 Scotland Drive: 519-471-1402 www.hydeparkequipment.ca Old Castle Renovations 519-860-9640 www.old-castle.ca Prestige Kitchen & Bath of London 519-203-1224 www.prestigekitchenandbathoflondon.ca
● FOR MORE INFORMATION • BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU serving Western Ontario • 190 Wortley Road, Suite 206 • 519-673-3222 • www.bbb.org May/June 2022 Lifestyle 37
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A CUT ABOVE Pandemic triggers surge in cosmetic surgery By Jill Ellis-Worthington
T
hough Melinda Tessman, Veronica Hauser and Dianne Abbot are at different ages, stages and have different occupations, they have two key factors in common. They all have had ‘work’ done and are all pleased with the results. Tessman, who is 43 and a stay-at-home mom, and Hauser, who is 70 and retired, went to Dr. Marilena Marignani to remedy issues about which they were unhappy. Tessman had lost 160 pounds after having gastric bypass surgery three years ago. Her sister previously had gastric bypass and then a tummy tuck performed by Dr. Marignani; she was happy with the results. Tessman was hoping for the same outcome, so her abdominal operation was done in September of 2021 at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, where Dr. Marignani practices cosmetic surgery. The removal of six pounds of extra skin has improved both her movement and her mood. “My husband and I have a vow renewal coming up, and I’ll be able to wear the dress I’ve always had in my head. I’ll get to go to a bridal shop and buy a dress that I never thought I’d be able to wear,” enthuses Tessman. Hauser’s surgery helped both her vision and her self-esteem. She disliked the way her eyelids were drooping, so she went to Dr. Marignani, who removed excess skin in her eyelids during a day surgery procedure in November 2021. “I just hated that I had that skin hanging down. A local lawyer, Diane Abbot, who is 60, went to Dr. Corey Moore for a lower facelift in spring of 2021. She did not like looking in the mirror and seeing her “drooping jowls.” She also detested the deep lines around her lips and later went to Dr. Moore for a laser treatment to remove them,
42 Lifestyle May/June 2022
STOCK PHOTO
“so my lipstick wouldn’t go travelling.” With all of her court and client interactions over Zoom the past two years, Abbott became more aware of how the drooping jowls made her look “sad or angry” and thought about it for a year before seeking Dr. Moore’s help. Most cosmetic surgery is not covered by OHIP, but all three women confirm that they are happy with having invested in their appearances. The pandemic was a driving force for Hauser and Abbott as both had extra money that would have been spent on travel over the past two years and decided to use those funds for something that would have a lasting impact on the way they
“
Zoom has changed things. We’re all becoming more self-aware and don’t like the impact of age on our lower faces. Gravity pulls us down and ligaments relax with age.” DR. COREY MOORE
looked. Tessman’s gastric bypass surgery was covered for health reasons, but plastic surgery to remove excess skin was not. Drs. Moore and Marignani agree that the pandemic has caused an uptick in the number of people seeking plastic surgery. There are several factors contributing to this. The bulk of Dr. Marignani’s patients are women in their 40s, 50s and 60s. “People were spending all of their time at home and taking care of themselves was their focus. They started to exercise and lose weight. They had more time to reflect on themselves. They want the way they look outside to reflect the way they feel inside.” She adds that wearing masks puts more emphasis on the upper face, so many people want their eyes to look better. Conversely, “having facial rejuvenation on the part hidden by a mask” makes the recovery from surgery easier to deal with. A large portion (80 to 90 per cent) of Dr. Moore’s patients are females between 55 and 75; his practice concentrates on facial cosmetic surgery exclusively. But some patients are older: “I had one patient who was 95 and getting married for the sixth time. She’d outlived five husbands and lived into her hundreds.” Mr. Moore feels that “Zoom has changed things. We’re all becoming more self-aware and don’t like the impact of age on our lower faces. Gravity pulls us down and ligaments relax with age.” He thinks another factor is COVID’s impact on boosting the
“
use of social media. “There are Facebook groups for different procedures, and you can get input from different people about the procedure you’re thinking of having. People post pictures of their results.” Besides having funds set aside for travel going unused, Dr. Moore says there is another factor at play. “People in this age group (40 to 70) are inheriting money from their parents. They are doing self-improvement and wouldn’t do plastic surgery with money that they saved for something else,” Moore explains. Some of this money is being invested in cosmetic procedures. He adds that an ‘inheritance’ of a different kind is a driving force. “People are living longer and thinking ‘My mother had this or that and I don’t want to have that, or I want to prevent it from happening. They are often embarrassed to talk about it because it sounds disrespectful to their parent.” Those considering plastic surgery know that they do not have to live with the undesired impacts of ageing they see on their parents. There is one thing that the pandemic has not affected. “COVID hasn’t changed the waiting lists,” says Dr. Moore. Adding that “the only thing that’s limiting the number of surgeries is the amount of time I’m at the centre. I could operate every day of the week and still not get it all done.” When Dr. Marignani started her practice in 1998, she estimates that she was one of the three doctors doing cosmetic surgery. “Back then the majority were abdominal
People want the way they look outside to reflect the way they feel inside.” DR. MARILENA MARIGNANI May/June 2022 Lifestyle 43
A CUT ABOVE ~ Continued from page 43
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(tummy tucks), breast augmentation and facelifts, though many of those went to Toronto.” She has seen a change over the years as cosmetic procedures have gained acceptance and as London has become more culturally diverse. Dr. Moore agrees and says that the number of physicians doing cosmetic surgeries in London has increased as well. A growing number of doctors to choose from makes surgery more readily available but also forces patients to find the right fit for them. Diane Abbott thought about doing something about her jowls and lips for a year. She did her research and settled on Dr. Moore “because he had very good reviews.” She is happy with the choice because now her “cheerful looking face” matches her sunny disposition, but more than that she ~ Continued on page 46
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• Can you fix the issue by changing the angle of your phone or computer? Dr. Moore says that many people have their phone or computer camera looking up at their neck or chin and “no one looks good from that angle.” • Do you have appropriate hopes about the results of surgery? According to Dr. Marignani, “I ask questions to ensure that they have realistic expectations about their body image and their mental state is secure about who they are.” • Are there other procedures that would remedy the issue? “Sometimes Botox and fillers can bring as much joy as a bigger procedure,” says Dr. Moore. 44 Lifestyle May/June 2022
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A CUT ABOVE ~ Continued from page 44
“has a high opinion of the doctor and his staff.” She feels that she received excellent medical care and attention from the office staff. Veronica Hauser and Melinda Tessman both had friends or relatives who recommended going to Dr. Marignani. According to Hauser, “I never thought I’d get plastic surgery,” but is pleased with both the results and her recovery time. “I looked pretty good in a week when I went back to see the doctor for follow-up.” She felt confident going into it because the doctor and her staff answered her questions and completely explained all aspects of the procedure. Tessman’s recovery time was longer because hers was a more dramatic procedure that required an overnight stay in the hospital. She had dressings for two weeks and then wore a “girdle” (a tight mesh garment) to support her stomach for six weeks. “They said I basically had no stomach muscles, so my recovery has been longer.” Tessman gives a glowing review of her doctor’s work and care: “She did a fantastic job. There was no (professional) aftercare available at home because of COVID, but Dr. Marignani called to check on me. She goes above and beyond with patients.” Plastic surgery is not always about looking younger. For both Hauser and Abbott, it was more about ridding themselves of some of the signs of ageing to look better. “I still have lines and wrinkles on my face, but I like looking in the mirror in the morning again and my lipstick doesn’t run,” says Abbott. ”
● FOR MORE INFORMATION DR. MARILENA MARIGNANI 1055 Fanshawe Park Road West #206 519-438-1130
1055 Fanshawe Park Road W., Suite 206 46 Lifestyle May/June 2022
DR. COREY MOORE Woodfield Centre For Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery 444 Waterloo Street • 519-433-8500
bizlife
NO MORE COVID HAIR Salon Entrenous meets new demands for carefree styles By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
LISA SALLABANK
I
solation imposed by the pandemic has impacted people right down to the hairs of their heads. Hairstyle is one fashion statement that reflects changes to many people’s lifestyles over the past two years, says Lisa Sallabank, owner of London’s Salon Entrenous. “We’re seeing a desire for an undone look, definitely more natural, more lived in,” Sallabank says. “People are embracing their natural textures.” Along with this, she says, is a desire for more maintenance-free styles. “Our stylists will adjust the cut to avoid a big blow dry, curling iron and set afterwards.” However, styles run the gamut, depending on the client’s wishes, from a highly polished look to one that is easy to care for. They also work with any hair length. Sallabank suggests a client with longer hair might like curtain bangs, with shag layers around the face for interest. Shorter hair might lend itself to textured layers in a bob cut. All options are explored by clients and stylists in personal consultations, she says. “So, clients walk out with something that’s going to fit their lifestyle. And they’ll learn some tips and tricks to achieve the look with less effort.” Staying current on current trends and techniques is important, Sallabank says. “We make sure we’re on top of things and always able to offer clients something new, something exciting.” To aid this effort, the salon regularly brings in artists from L’Oréal Professional to provide education on the latest fashions and how to achieve them. “Trends always start in Europe. L’Oréal is a company with its home base in France, so its ambassadors have constant education to offer.” A recent artist education session focused on men’s hair cutting trends, and a there was class on modern
“
People are embracing their natural textures.” Along with this, she says, is a desire for more maintenance-free styles. LISA SALLABANK OWNER OF SALON ENTRENOUS
bridal and formal styles. The educators come from across the country and around the world. “We’ve had some international artists, but Canadian hairdressers are some of the best in the world,” Sallabank says. To make home hair care easy, the salon carries an extensive variety of professional-grade shampoos, conditioners and styling products, available at the shop and online.
SALON ENTRENOUS FOR MORE INFORMATION • SALON ENTRENOUS • 579 Richmond Street • 519-433-8129 • www.salonentrenous.com May/June 2022 Lifestyle 47
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AWASH sound WITH
By Janis Wallace
MUSIC FESTIVAL COMES TO HURON COUNTY
TOP Cellist Thomas Beard and his sister, Emily Beard, playing harp, are both originally from Wingham. Pictured here, they were filmed at FauxPop Media studios in Goderich for the December 2021 video, A Huron Waves Christmas. ABOVE John Miller, artistic director of Huron Waves Music Festival.
“
I have a responsibility to the audience that they get a good sound performance and to the artist who deserves the best communication with the audience.” ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JOHN MILLER
W
hen artistic director John Miller met with the board of an aspiring new music festival in 2019, he gave them an assignment: think of a name for it. When they reconvened, Aimee Rau told the story of driving home thinking about Miller’s request. On one side of the road, the wind whipped the water of Lake Huron into waves. The crops in the fields on the other side also waved in the breeze. Then she thought of music traveling in waves and suggested Huron Waves for the festival. Huron Waves was ready to launch its inaugural festival in the spring of 2020. The pandemic caused them to cancel programs in 2020 and 2021. But they released videos in December of each year. Miller said they will also release a video June 1, 2022 to open this season, followed by other videos by local musicians. Live concerts featuring artists brought into the area will take place the first three weekends of June. Music lovers can attend those concerts in several communities throughout Huron County: Exeter, Goderich, Wingham, Blyth, St. Joseph and Hensall. Board members live in various parts of the county, and they wanted to bring music to as many places as possible rather than concentrate in one location.
The music will also be wide-ranging. “One of the goals is to add to the interest and awareness and fun of music by bringing in groups that would not necessarily appear in Southwestern Ontario,” says Miller. Miller was unable to provide specifics pending government funding approval at time of writing. He gave hints the concerts will include classical, country, Indigenous, multi-instrumental and percussion performances. His challenge has been finding venues. “I needed to adapt programs and find sites as close as feasible for the artists or ensembles we’re bringing in. Looking at an arena automatically eliminates delicate performances or small ensembles. You’ve got to go big, with 100 or more performers. As a producer, I have a responsibility to the audience that they get a good sound performance and to the artist who deserves the best communication with the audience.” Miller also wants to explore what he calls experiential music. “I’m striving to use the concept of music in the widest possible sense – a music garden, an exploration of the sound of waves, of trees, of nature. The public doesn’t think about nature and sound as an aspect of music.” Sounds like a fresh wave of new musical experiences will wash over Huron County in June 2022.
● FOR MORE INFORMATION • HURON WAVES MUSIC FESTIVAL • First three weekends June 2022 • Various locations throughout Huron County • www.huronwavesmusicfestival.ca May/June 2022 Lifestyle 49
May/June 2022 Lifestyle 51
LEFT The lighthouse is recognized as an area landmark, as well as a symbol of Cobble Beach Golf Resort. BELOW Some of the neighbours like to boat over and tie up to enjoy lunch at one of the two eateries on the property
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ONTARIO’S Pebble Beach By Jill Ellis-Worthington
GO FOR THE GOLF, STAY FOR THE LIFESTYLE
52 Lifestyle May/June 2022
C
indy-Lee Rogers, who splits her time between London and Beaver Valley says, “I love it because it gives me a taste of the Maritimes.” She enjoys playing and staying at Cobble Beach Golf Resort so much that she’s visited it seven times over the years. From single-day visits for golf outings to a weekend away with husband Perry Ferguson to a multi-day girlfriends’ getaway, Rogers has experienced all that Cobble Beach has to offer. According to Jennelle Willis, marketing manager, repeat visits are not unusual. Since its inception in 2007, Cobble Beach Golf Resort, with 2000 feet of waterfront, has been a destination course. Located 10 minutes from Owen
Sound, it is modelled on California’s famous Pebble Beach, offering both a resort atmosphere - with restaurant, spa and accommodations – and a housing development, all spread over 574 acres. Designed by Doug Carrick, it is one of the top golf courses in Ontario, rated by SCOREGolf, and Willis says the stay-and-play package is their most popular. Guests enjoy a one-night stay and play one round of golf. Breakfast is included with packages. “We have the best sunrises, looking out onto Georgian Bay for your breakfast view.” During the season, golf packages are mandatory, but in the off-season, spa packages and regular hotel stays are offered. “Real golf enthusiasts like using our indoor golf simulator in the winter,” explains Willis.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The resort offers expansive views of Georgian Bay from the inn’s rooms, dining room, club house and golf course. • Relax after a round in a Muskoka chair by the water. • There are 10 rooms in the top floor and five cottages onsite. • The rooms are luxurious but comfortable. INSET Cindy-Lee Rogers enjoyed the food in the restaurant and the patio on each of her visits.
There are 10 rooms in the inn over the clubhouse, each uniquely decorated, and five cottages that sleep up to eight people. “This is a five-star hotel, so we offer a luxurious experience,” she adds. “Guests love the quaintness of the Nantucket style.” Rogers has stayed in the inn and says, “it was a clean comfortable environment, with excellent service.” She adds that the restaurant service – in both the dining room of the Sweetwater Restaurant and on the Creekside Terrace Patio – was also impeccable. “The manager made sure we were comfortable and well taken care of. The food and atmosphere were excellent, as well.”
Rogers and her friends also enjoyed their time at the spa, saying that it is on par with other destination hotels she has visited. “They were very accommodating.” The spa offers a full slate of services, including a couple’s massage room, as well as a plunge pool and an outdoor hot tub. The real star of the show is the golf course, which Rogers terms “rolling” and “stunning.” “I’m from the Maritimes originally and with the lighthouse and golfing along the water, it gives you a real Maritime feeling,” she adds. “I also really love that you can walk it.” Though several holes offer water views, Willis says that the 17th hole “has
the best view in Ontario of off any hole.” Recreation options are numerous at Cobble Beach. It offers 18 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, some of which traverse the ‘enchanted forest,’ with its wood carvings and bird feeders. The Bruce Trail winds its way nearby. “The area has outstanding hiking,” says Rogers, “along one of the nicest sections of the Bruce Trail.” All of Georgian Bay’s water activities are available: swimming at the private beach, kayaking or canoeing (bring your own). Willis says that boating in and mooring at the dock while enjoying lunch or dinner is popular with locals. This active mindset extends to Cobble Beach’s housing community. May/June 2022 Lifestyle 53
ONTARIO'S PEBBLE BEACH ~ Continued from page 53
TOP Many golfers stay at the resort for a weekend and enjoy it so much that they return to purchase one of the attached townhome-style or free-standing condos. ABOVE Cobble Beach Golf Resort's luxurious spa offers a menu of treatments to help you relax during your stay.
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There’s a private beach club for residents. Willis says that phase two – 176 units – of the development is now for sale, with townhouses built by Reid’s Heritage Homes starting at $600,000 and detached bungalows by Georgian Villas Custom Homes starting at $800,000. “With more people working remotely, we have people that have sold their home in Toronto to escape the city to move here for the lifestyle,” explains Willis. Many who visited to stay and play are now residents. “That happens all the time. People come and love it and end up buying here,” she adds. Like Rogers, many return to enjoy the beautiful views of Georgian Bay while golfing and return each year to enjoy it a little more.
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Firing up local
FLAVOURS FROM FIRE HALL TO ARTISAN FOOD MARKET By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
AS
To maintain fire hall history, there are firefighter-related murals on the exterior doors and the interior features tables with fire hydrant bases and re-purposed fire extinguishers as ceiling lights. Ladders and hoses and a large wooden market clock will enhance the décor.
Port Stanley opens a new state-of-the-art fire station, its former fire hall is getting a new life as an artisan food marketplace. The Fire Hall Market is the brainchild of two local couples who saw potential in the Joseph Street building that housed the village’s firefighters and equipment for more than four decades. The idea is to offer a variety of local specialty foods, says Lorraine McElroy, partner with her husband Gerry Hensels and friends Angela and Dale Homewood. “We don’t want to step on anybody’s toes. It’s about bringing in stuff that we don’t have.” Vendors currently include St. Thomas’s Smokin’ Caboose, with barbecued smoked meats, local wholesaler Gifford’s Produce, artisanal cheeses from Tillsonburg’s Two Girls and a Cheese Shop and Port’s own The Edible Journey offering vegan and gluten-free products. Also onboard are the DL Village Juicery, Yogi Bakers and Uncommon Blooms, a new florist business. A butcher and fishmonger are also being sought. The plan is to start with 10 food booths and a few mobile carts that may be rented daily to attract local crafters. The partners are committed to honouring the building’s fire hall history. Murals on the exterior doors, depicting near lifesize firemen and trucks, remain. The timber frame interior feature tables with fire hydrant bases and re-purposed fire extinguishers as ceiling lights. Ladders and hoses and a large wooden market clock enhance the décor.
An upper floor, formerly used as a training centre for the firefighters, is also being renovated as a two-bedroom executive apartment, to be rented annually. It will include an outdoor terrace, overlooking Kettle Creek and Port Stanley’s Main Street and historic lift bridge. “It will all be high-end, down to the appliances and finishes,” McElroy says. “It’s really going to be beautiful.” The partners launched the market with a soft opening in early May and a grand opening is planned on the May 24 weekend. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week during the summer.
● FOR MORE INFORMATION • THE FIRE HALL MARKET • Lorraine McElroy • 519-317-4522 • www.facebook.com/Fire-Hall-Market-Port-Stanley-111792998045530/?ref=page_internal May/June 2022 Lifestyle 57
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Chickadees (TOP), blue jays (INSET) and nuthatches (BOTTOM) will brighten up your backyard when invited by providing food and shelter during the spring and summer months.
BE A CHICKADEE
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By Janis Wallace
58 Lifestyle May/June 2022
BACKYARD BIRDS ARE ENTERTAINING
A
flash of red, a glimpse of orange or brilliant yellow, a soft humming and high-pitched chitter-chatter – these are signs of a lively bird community in your backyard. Whether you are a novice birdwatcher, a dedicated hobbyist or a serious ornithologist, southwestern Ontario offers sights and sounds of many birds. Erecting feeders and houses will attract birds and bring them closer. You will be able sit back to watch the show.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Feed your feathered friends but deny the furry ones with the Brome Squirrel Buster Classic Feeder. • Welcome those flitting bursts of colour known as hummingbirds with a Pinebush Hummingbird Feeder. • The Brome Squirrel Buster Suet Feeder is especially good for feeding multiple species of birds in the fall and winter months. • When you want to attract colourful orioles, use the Pinebush 3-in-1 Oriole feeder.
It is worth investing in a squirrel-proof feeder, according to Featherfields owner Ashley Satchell.
FEEDING Ashley Satchell, owner of Featherfields, suggests starting with a birdfeeder and a mix of seed. “A good mix has everything to appeal to various types. You can see what types are attracted.” However, if you want to invite specific birds, offer their favourite feed. Migratory birds, such as orioles and hummingbirds, arrive in the area in May. Satchell says orioles enjoy oranges. “Put out a half or quarter orange to draw them.”
May is also a great time to attract owls. She suggests using a sugar-water mixture, as they like nectar – a trait they share with hummingbirds. “Some feeders have a place for a slice of orange or bird berry jelly. Later in the season, owls will eat insects for protein.” The type of food provided and existing wildlife are factors in choosing a feeder. “I always ask if a person has a lot of squirrels - most do. So, it is worth investing in a squirrelproof feeder.”
Depending on the environment, you will need to clean your feeder every foursix weeks. If it rains or there is a high moisture level, it is important to monitor seeds for clumping to prevent mould. “It’s like cleaning a glass,” says Satchell. “Scrub well with dish soap or vinegar and water, then rinse well. It’s not necessary to bleach unless there is mould.” Satchell says there is no right or wrong answer to feeding in the summer. Birds are fine if you stop - they’ll find other sources, such as your neighbour’s feeder or insects.
May/June 2022 Lifestyle 59
BACKYARD BIRDS ~ Continued from page 59
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1570 Hyde Park Rd. 519-474-1165
173 Wortley Rd. 519-672-8958
Detached, semi-detached or apartment living? The usual real estate answers apply: location and resident preferences. “Purple martins are very specific about where they live. It has to be close to water.” Entry size should match the bird and provide security from larger predators. Interiors should allow ventilation and circulation. Owl houses are the largest and wrens like a cozy spot with multiple compartments. Featherfields sells a variety of locally made houses. Satchell also suggests bat houses. “We don’t often think about them, but they’re important for the local environment,” she says. She advises patience to allow time for birds or bats to feel comfortable and move into their new digs. “They’re nervous. It may take a week or two to adjust.” Place houses and feeders near the shelter of shrubs or trees.
IDENTIFYING
The Difference Is In The Details LANDSCAPE | DESIGN-BUILD | CONSULTATION To view our impressive photo gallery visit mckinnongardens.com 519.854.3368 STRATHROY 60 Lifestyle May/June 2022
Some of the most common yearround visitors are cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, finches, sparrows and mourning doves. You can also spot juncos, woodpeckers and nuthatches. Consult a beginning birder book or the internet or download an app. Satchell says females may be more difficult to identify because they usually do not sport the vibrant plumage of the males. Finches are bright yellow in the warm months, but their winter wings are less flashy. “Nature is not set in stone,” says Satchell. “It’s always changing, always surprising. There’s always something new to learn.”
● FOR MORE INFORMATION FEATHERFIELDS 1570 Hyde Park Road • 519-474-1165 173 Wortley Road • 519-672-8958 www.featherfields.com
bizlife
SAFE AT HOME Covers Designers’ Edge meets new mandate By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
KEVIN FELLNER
C
hallenge inspires innovation. This is the maxim driving the window treatment industry in the face of new federal regulations banning cords on blinds and draperies, says Kevin Fellner, president of London’s Covers Designers’ Edge. “It’s a sweeping change for window coverings, but it is pushing innovation and creativity within the industry and there are definitely high-quality solutions.” Corded window covering regulations, under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, were announced last year. Citing child safety, these came into effect on May 1. Coming in the midst of a global pandemic, which has already resulted in significant supply chain disruptions and escalating commodity prices, the regulations have created “a perfect storm of challenges,” Fellner says. He predicts that consumers will see less product on the market as companies work to devise systems eliminating the use of cords. Fellner adds a positive note. “We’re dealing with it,” he says. “There will be feasible products that won’t be overly expensive.” As an example, Altex, a globally respected Canadian company, is launching its Newton High-Speed Lite-Lift system. It is a nonmotorized solution featuring no visible cords or chains. There will also be more demand for automated systems, Fellner says. “Low-cost wand control motors with built-in rechargeable battery packs will be prevalent, as will all types of battery and hard-wired motors with remote operation. It’s going to take time, but the new regulations will act as a catalyst to speed up the adoption of automated shades.” He uses the analogy of power windows in cars. These were once a luxury that has now become
“
It’s a sweeping change for window coverings, but it is pushing innovation and creativity within the industry and there are definitely high-quality solutions.” KEVIN FELLNER
so mainstream that it is difficult to imagine cranking down a window. Falling under a consumer act, the new rules do not impact commercial sites like schools or offices. However, those clients may also be affected, as retailers strip their inventory of corded products. Covers Designers’ Edge, with its own commercial fabrication facility, is well-positioned to help those customers meet their requirements.
COVERS DESIGNERS’ EDGE FOR MORE INFORMATION • COVERS DESIGNERS’ EDGE • 297 Exeter Road • 519-652-0222 • www.coverscanada.ca May/June 2022 Lifestyle 61
bizlife
BUILDING ON FAMILY TRADITION Brothers create custom homes By Ellen Ashton-Haiste
M
ike and Travis Loyens know more than a bit about custom home building. The brothers, who head up RiverStone Original Homes, come from a family tradition in the building industry – W.H. Loyens Homes – dating back 60 years. They launched their own business 22 years ago and have been creating dream homes for clients ever since. From the beginning, they wanted to build energy-efficient, environmentally friendly houses. So, they were always on the lookout for cutting-edge products, says Mike. Results of that search yielded two technologies that have become part of their construction signature: insulated concrete forms (ICF) and boiler-supplied radiant in-floor heat. In ICF construction, concrete-filled modular blocks of polystyrene are used to form the exterior walls; this technology is used for 90 per cent of the houses they build. Radiant heating is not just used to warm the floors, but can also be the home’s actual heat source, adding comfort and efficiency. “These products create a strong, quiet, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home.” Mike says. “Together they can allow
homeowners to realize significant savings on heating and cooling costs.” RiverStone homes – available in several styles: traditional, modern farmhouse, cottage and ultra-modern designs – are built to meet the clients’ tastes and desires. “We take the initial vision of the owners to blueprint stage and then to final completion,” Mike says. They look after the entire building process; this includes aspects beyond building the house: building permits, driveways, well and septic installations. RiverStone does a limited number of builds in a year, typically on privatelyowned rural or city infill lots. “Our team can dedicate as much time as necessary for each build,” Mike says. “We’re very handson. Between myself, my brother and our site supervisor, one of us is on-site every day to keep an eye on things. Our customers like that we’re there to watch their house being built.” Mike and Travis have long-term plans for their company. Some members of the fourth generation of the Loyens family are involved in the local building industry.
Owners of RiverStone Original Homes, Mike Loyens (INSET) and his brother Travis build high-end custom homes. The above modern farmhouse-style residence is an example, with original details like the unique plaster ceiling.
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Our team can dedicate as much time as necessary for each build.” MIKE LOYENS
RIVERSTONE ORIGINAL HOMES FOR MORE INFORMATION • RIVERSTONE ORIGINAL HOMES • 14742 Fifteen Mile Road, RR#2 Denfield • 519-666-3537 • www.riverstonecustomhomes.ca 62 Lifestyle May/June 2022
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