ReFINEd Halifax Spring Volume 2 Issue 1 2016

SPRING 2016 VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

HALIFAX

SPECIAL HOMES EDITION HERITAGE HOME WITH EAST COAST ECLECTIC STYLE PAIRING WINE & CHOCOLATE “MAUDIE” MAUD LEWIS’ LIFE ON THE BIG SCREEN

COMFORT, STYLE AND CLASS

PINE ACRES RV

VALLEY FORD Customer Service Is Our No.1 Priority

“We deal with problems head on and let the customer know we’re there for them.”

– Peter Simmons, president of Valley Ford

Valley Ford sales team

Valley Ford | 898 Park Street, Kentville | 902.678.1330 | www.valleyford.ns.ca

Bi-weekly payment $199 + tax

2016 F150 4X4

300A package Super Crew (4 door) Auto, 5 litre with trailer tow package MSRP $46,774 | $2,895 down

Bi-weekly payment $98 + tax

2016 Focus SE Sedan/hatchback 200 A package with auto trans MSRP $20,849 | $1,646 down

∙ Recently expanded service bays to include heavy truck bays and hoists, modern detail facility and tire storage ∙ Onsite Enterprise Rent A Car location ∙ Massive new and used inventory ∙ Authorized certified pre-owned Ford Centre ∙ Factory trained technicians ∙ Specialized diesel repair facility ∙ Largest new lot and selection... More than 80 F150s to choose from ∙ Experience the Valley Ford Difference… “Where else”

Valley Ford | 898 Park Street, Kentville | 902.678.1330 | www.valleyford.ns.ca

beautiful summer memories at home

sailings & celebrations on the water www.mtcw.ca f 902-420-1015

BEST WESTERN PLUS

Dartmouth Hotel & Suites

• More than 4,000-square-feet of meeting space with onsite catering by award winning Trendz Restaurant & Wine Bar • Six meeting rooms in total and separate registration area • Can accommodate sit down or buffet service for 300+ guests • Chardonnay ballroom is ideal for weddings, trade shows, holiday events and conferences.

Easy access loading doors can also accommodate show vehicles.

• State of the art audio visual • Natural light • Group rates available

BEST WESTERN PLUS Dartmouth Hotel & Suites 15 Spectacle Lake Drive, Dartmouth | 902.463.2000 www.bestwesterndartmouth.com

HALIFAX

Spring 2016 Volume 2 Issue 1 Owner / Publisher Seann Gervason seann@refinedmagazine.ca Editor Lori McKay lori@refinedmagazine.ca

FIRST WORD With ReFINEd editor LORI MCKAY

W

hile covering a story for a local newspaper years ago, I found myself on a heritage house tour in downtown Dartmouth. I saw many beautiful homes that weekend, but one was particularly memorable. The home, which was built in 1915 and used as a private school for many years, overlooks Lake Banook and is a lovely example of Georgian architecture. When we began searching for a fabulous property to feature in this spring issue, that house — with its unique eclectic style, history and character — immediately came to mind. We were able to track down the homeowner, Heather Waugh Pitts, through the Dartmouth Heritage Museum and she graciously invited us to photograph her beautiful home and share her story. I hope you enjoy the tour as much as we did.

It’s easy to say goodbye to a Nova Scotia winter. Even this year, where we experienced less ice and snow and more seasonal temperatures than other years, Nova Scotians are still more than ready for green grass, tulips and tackling those neglected renovation projects. Get inspired by our special Homes section, with stories on kitchen fireplaces, decks and luxury staircases. Spring is also an ideal time to visit the Annapolis Valley. Read through our special section and plan a day or weekend trip to check out Valley wineries, golf courses, festivals and restaurants.

Don’t miss our feature article on the upcoming movie Maudie, which tells the story of beloved Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis. The film stars big name actors Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke. We also have stories on ECMA-winner Jenn Grant, local performer Kristin Langille, tips for pairing wine and chocolate (two of my favourite things!), a travel piece on New Zealand and so much more.

The staff of ReFINEd Halifax would like to thank all our local advertisers and readers for supporting our second edition. Visit us online at www.refinedmagazine.ca and like our new Facebook page: ReFINEd Halifax Magazine.

Enjoy!

Lori 6

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Designer Ghislaine Moffitt Contributing Writers Melanie Furlong, Trina Annand, , Lisa Drader-Murphy, Katrina Geenevasen-Garlough, Cheryl Doherty, Angela Campagnoni, Dr. Christian Hackshaw, Apolline Lucyk Cover Photography Geoffrey Creighton On Our Cover Andrew Brown, owner of Pine Acres RV in Stewiacke Photography Bruce Jollimore, Steve Jess, Geoffrey Creighton, Rene Robyn, Sarah Anne Fancy, Paul Vienneau, Clement Chan, Stoo Metz, DeeDee Morris, Jaime Harris Distribution & Subscriptions seann@refinedmagazine.ca 902.476.4700

Seann Gervason Owner / Publisher seann@refinedmagazine.ca 902.476.4700

Tracey Wallace Director of Sales & Marketing traceyw@refinedmagazine.ca 902.441.4456

Suzana Cabrita Advertising Consultant suzanac@refinedmagazine.ca 902.817.7897

Ghislaine Moffitt Designer ghislainem@refinedmagazine.ca ReFINEd Halifax is published by ReFINEd Magazine Ltd., which is independently owned. Opinions expressed in ReFINEd Magazine Ltd. are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or advertisers. ReFINEd Magazine Ltd. does not assume liability for content.

All rights reserved ©ReFINEd Magazine Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. For reproduction requests, please call 902.476.4700.

Canada Post Publication Agreement #41818060. Return all undeliverables to 1511 Lockhart Mountain Road, Coldbrook, Nova Scotia, B4R 1C1.

I’ve been taking photographs since I was a child and have been doing it professionally for almost 10 years. I recommend you check out our work. I think it’s obvious that we love what we do, do it well and have a lot of fun in the process.

Hey, I'm Heather and here's the deal: No matter how you look right now, or how difficult it can be to get everyone dressed up and schedules coordinated, do it anyway — get photographs taken!

I’ve never heard even one mom with grown children say, “Gosh, I regret those family photo shoots we did!”

Unfortunately, I’ve often heard the opposite. Life is short, and the opportunity to capture who you are right now, and where your family is right now, can only be captured now.

Whether you want to capture your family at home or in a place you love — you and your dog on the boat, or maybe allowing us to be a ‘fly on the wall’ while you take part in things that bring you joy — we can make it work. We know that photographs will be with you for a lifetime, along with the memories that go with them. Let’s capture some of those moments together!

So, don’t wait, take the first step and contact us to get the process started.

We would love to hear from you!

heather@thisisphotography.ca 902.830.8593 www.thisisphotography.ca

MEET OUR

CONTRIBUTORS

8

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Geoffrey Creighton

Bruce Jollimore

PHOTOGRAPHER Geoffrey has been creating images for as long as he can remember. He enjoys guiding projects, large and small, from inception to completion.

“It’s great to find out what clients don’t know they want and deliver it to them. My hope is that I can share some of my passion and enthusiasm to affect others in a positive way.”

PHOTOGRAPHER Bruce is a freelance photographer living in Dartmouth. He believes in the “do what you love” philosophy. Bruce is a graduate of NSCAD and NSCC, where he honed his craft and gained skills in emerging photographic technologies

Melanie Furlong

Steve Jess

WRITER Melanie Furlong has been a freelance writer in Halifax for the last 15 years and her work has appeared in many U.S. and Canadian magazines. This fall, she published her first novel, The Last Honest Man in Havana, which is based on the true stories of various friends and family members from Cuba

PHOTOGRAPHER Steve Jess is a Halifax-based commercial photographer specializing in lifestyle, food, event and architectural photography. Many magazines have hired Steve for his creative aptitude with digital photography, including Mechanical Business, Fine Lifestyles, East Coast Living and Halifax Magazine.

Trina Annand

Cheryl Doherty

WRITER Trina has a bachelor of journalism honours degree from the University of King’s College and a bachelor of fine arts in photography from NSCAD. She enjoys writing about community events, business, celebrities, automotive, home and eco trends, as well as the great outdoors

COLUMNIST Cheryl is a certified sommelier and coowner of The Old Triangle, a successful quartet of restaurants/pubs in Atlantic Canada. Cheryl is a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers Atlantic and National Chapters.

Katrina Geenevasen-Garlough

Lisa Drader-Murphy

WRITER Katrina graduated from Carleton University with a degree in English, knowing a future in the publishing industry was for her. She began working for her hometown’s newspaper after graduation, and before long, found her calling as a magazine writer and editor. She lives in Kingston, Ont., with her husband and daughter.

COLUMNIST Lisa is an award-winning Canadian fashion designer, manufacturer, retailer and philanthropist. Established in 1997, her collections are sold at her five posh retail stores — the most recent on Queen Street West, Toronto.

Angela Campagnoni

Dr. Christian Hackshaw

COLUMNIST Angela is the director and creator of Atlantic Fashion Week and has more than 25 years in the fashion industry

COLUMNIST Christian is a double board-certified Anti-Aging physician, and the director of AdvanceMD Anti-Aging Clinic and Medical Fitness Centre in Bedford N.S.

CONTENTS

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

26

36

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

48

59

70

STYLE & BEAUTY | 10

Cover Feature:

Annapolis Valley

Heritage Home With East Coast Eclectic Style

YOUR HEALTH | 12

Pine Acres RV

CITY LIFE | 26 FOOD & DRINK | 36 RECREATION & TRAVELSCAPES | 42 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS | 54 REFINED HOMES | 67 70

ReFINEd HALIFAX

9

STYLE & BEAUTY

Recognizing Excellence

IN THE CANADIAN

Fashion Industry

By Angela Campagnoni

Herieth Paul

Greta Constantine

10

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Hamish Thwaites

Jason Wu

WANT Les Essentiels

Wings + Horns

STYLE & BEAUTY

My journey in fashion began as a runway model and evolved into a fashion designer. My many experiences shaped my appreciation and understanding for the industry as a whole, and taught me fashion is not about the clothing we create or put on each and every day, but an attitude — a movement, cultural experience and empowerment that simply cannot be put into words.

T

he passion I feel for the industry led me to become creative in ways I didn’t originally envision. One of my goals was to increase fashion industry awareness on this side of the country, and through this journey I was introduced to new experiences and a career path I didn’t realize was possible, including creating Atlantic Fashion Week (which will celebrate its 10th season this fall!).

In 2013, the organizers of the first Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards approached me about being a jury member for the inaugural event. What an honour it was to not only be asked, but also be the only delegate east of Montreal. And this year, as the awards entered their third year, I was brought back as part of the nominating committee.

FINALISTS

Winners are marked with an asterisk * Womenswear Designer of the Year

Fashion Design Student Hamish Thwaites * Meghan Buckley Patricia Nicolas Tricia Crivellaro

Greta Constantine * Lucian Matis LINE Knitwear Pink Tartan

Image Maker Arkan Zakharov Gabor Jurina * Max Abadian Richard Bernardin

Menswear Designer of the Year Christopher Bates Frank and Oak Wings + Horns *

International Canadian Designer of the Year Jason Wu * Tanya Taylor Thomas Tait

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion 3.Paradis Beaufille Matthew Gallagher UNTTLD *

Stylist of the Year Annie Horth * Juliana Schiavinatto George Antonopoulos

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories Arc Jewellery Daniel Christian Tang Lauren Klassen * Sully Wong Accessory Designer of the Year Alan Anderson Dean Davidson Jenny Bird WANT Les Essentiels * Joe Fresh Fashion Innovation Frank & Oak * Sidebuy Stylekick

Model of the Year Crista Cober Kirsten Owen Heather Marks Herieth Paul * Sephora Fresh Face of the Year Adam Butcher * Emma Genier Malik Lindo Steph Smith Fashion Impact Browns Shoes Inc Laura Siegel * The Obakki Foundation Fashion Blogger of the Year The Coveteur * Beckerman Blog The Haute Pursuit

Pouring through application after application and look-book after look-book, the nominating committee had a huge task to carry out. After months of narrowing down each level we had our finalists, which were announced in January.

While Atlantic Canadian designers work hard to be noticed by our counterparts in the West, I have to remind myself everyone feels the struggle for recognition. There is an incredible amount of talent across the country and everyone is doing what he or she can to stand out amongst a sea of creativity. I am sure this can be attributed to many industries, not just the arts.

The Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards 2016 were held in Toronto in April. I encourage our readers to check out some of these designers… It’s a beautiful thing when we can support Canadian fashion!

STYLE & BEAUTY

Angela Campagnoni is the director and creator of Atlantic Fashion Week and has more than 25 years in the fashion industry. www.angelacampagnoni.com

ReFINEd HALIFAX

11

HEALTH YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS

100

70!

IS THE NEW

By Dr. Christian Hackshaw

Can we slow down the aging process? There is a rapidly growing group of doctors and research professionals who say yes. As our understanding of the biochemical processes that control our metabolism increases, so does our belief that we can greatly affect the way in which our cells age.

12

ReFINEd HALIFAX

YOUR HEALTH

W

e all have a basic understanding that if we eat right, exercise regularly and don’t expose ourselves to too many bad things, it will be “good for our health.”

But what does that mean? What is the connection between health and aging?

Anti-aging specialists have coined the term “inflammaging.” Research has shown a definite link between most of the diseases of aging (heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, cancer, etc.) and inflammation in our body. Low-grade inflammation over many years does damage to your cells through the process of oxidation (think of rust on iron), causing cells to deform or die, DNA to be damaged, cells to become frail and disease processes to set in.

Remember you are replacing roughly 300 billion cells in your body every day, and this necessitates making 300 billion copies of your DNA. Your cells need key nutrients to make this process work, as well as a “clean” environment in which to replicate the DNA. Otherwise things go wrong. Keeping your body fully nourished with the needed nutrients and antioxidants will reduce the error rate in this massive biochemical process, thus ensuring that the newly formed cells are as healthy or healthier than the ones they replace. This is the basis of disease prevention. This is how you slow the aging process.

But do you want to live to be 100, or more? I have yet to meet a patient who wants to live the last 15-20 years of their life in a nursing home, riddled with disease. But what if you could be 80 and out playing tennis or golf? What if at 95 your mind was still clear, and you had the energy to go for long walks on the beach? This is certainly possible. With the right combination of proper nutrition, optimized hormones, resistance training, and adequate anti-oxidant reserve, we can slow down the aging process, and be healthy and vital well into our older years.

Talk to your doctor about testing your thyroid function (properly), your estrogen and testosterone, your blood sugar averages, and your inflammatory markers. Speak with a holistic nutritionist about the real way to lose weight and reduce the inflammation in your body (hint: low fat diets are generally wrong).

Talk to a personal trainer about putting together a personalized program for you, to improve your muscle mass and tone as well as your cardiac conditioning (one thing centenarians have in common is increased muscle mass). Learn about which supplements and nutraceuticals have medical evidence showing how they benefit health. Take up a practice that promotes relaxation and stress reduction such as yoga, meditation or Tai Chi. Or better yet, seek out an anti-aging/ integrative physician who specializes in optimizing all these things together.

Dr. Christian Hackshaw MD CCFP ABAARM is a double board-certified Anti-Aging physician, and the director of AdvanceMD Anti-Aging Clinic and Medical Fitness Centre in Bedford N.S.

YOUR HEALTH

ReFINEd HALIFAX

13

EA

EXPERT ADVICE

EXPERT ADVICE

SPRING IS HERE ! SORE FEET CAN TAKE A STEP BACK

T

here can be many reasons why your feet hurt: improper footwear, not enough support in the right places, not enough cushioning, medical condition or an injury. The force on our feet is approximately 120 per cent of your weight, and the foot has almost as many bones as the hand and the wrist — it’s a complicated piece of real estate. Yet, we don’t pay much attention to our feet until there are problems.

such as over pronation (the foot rolls inward) or supination (the arch is too high and the foot rolls outward).

If you have sore feet the best option is to see a Canadian Certified Pedorthist for an assessment. Assessments determine what the problem is and what solution would be best for you. Pedorthists are specifically trained to assess the foot and lower limbs; design, manufacture and fit custom foot orthoses and footwear modifications such as shoe lifts.

Depending on your condition and activity level, they will inform you as to whether you need custom orthotics, off-the-shelf insoles, or proper footwear.

There are many medical foot and lower limb conditions and injuries. Some that may require immediate attention include:

Custom and off-the-shelf orthotics are shoe inserts that can correct gait problems, address structural foot faults, provide foot support, relieve pressure on painful areas of the foot and provide motion control. Custom-made orthotics provide individual correction specific for your foot problem. There are different types of custom orthotics.

Functional orthotics are used to correct problems with a person’s foot mechanics,

14

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Accommodative orthotics are designed to fit and protect the foot via cushioning and specific unloading, and to relieve pain and pressure in the foot. They improve tolerance for the weight bearing tasks of daily life and are typically used with diabetic patients.

Generally speaking, your feet should not hurt. Pain indicates something is wrong. Consider making a no obligation appointment with one of our Certified Canadian Pedorthist to have a gait and lower leg assessment.

Soles in Motion also has bracing and compression specialists and a team waiting to educate you on athletic and casual footwear. Make a no obligation appointment or drop by to see us.

1. Plantar Fasciitis is a common overuse syndrome that causes painful inflammation of the band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot (plantar fascia).

2. Metatarsalgia is a type of pain and inflammation that occurs in a part of the foot known as the metatarsal (ball of foot). It often occurs in the metatarsal heads — where the three middle toes meet the ball of the foot.

3. Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone.

Other conditions include bunions, hammer toes, Morton’s neuroma and diabetes.

YOUR HEALTH

Jen Estabrooks Co-owner, General Manager, Certified Fitter Soles in Motion 121 Ilsley Ave, Dartmouth 902.468.7911 jennifer@solesinmotion.ca Visit our website solesinmotion.ca

STEP TOWARD AN ACTIVE YOU!

Custom Orthotics • Custom & Off-The-Shelf Bracing Canadian Certified Pedorthists • Certified Bracing Specialists Knowledgeable, Friendly, Respectful and Qualified Staff.

The Products You Need: Footwear • Custom Orthotics • Braces • Medical Products Compression Therapy • Fitness Products

3 Locations for Your Convenience or Visit Us Online at SolesinMotion.ca Evening and Weekend Appointments Available.

902.468.7911 Main Store 121 Ilsley Ave., Unit 5, Dartmouth Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cole Harbour Satellite Location Forest Hills Medical Clinic 4 Forest Hills Parkway Call for Appointment.

Halifax Satellite Location Family Focus Medical Clinic 5991 Spring Garden Road Call for Appointment.

L-R Beverly Thompson, Medical Coordinator and Jenny Veinotte, Lead Clinical Esthetician

Beauty Secrets Revealed

By Melanie Furlong Photos Bruce Jollimore

T

he beauty regimens of Hollywood stars are by no means secret. But until now, finding out where to get the Thermage treatments Linda Evangelista, Gwyneth Paltrow and Demi Moore have been raving about for years has felt shrouded in mystery.

Vitality Medi-Spa is one of the few medispas that offers Thermage. Anyone who’s interested in having this particular antiaging treatment is recommended to book a private, complimentary consultation with their staff physician, Dr. Van Aardt, the president of the National Association of Cosmetic Medicine.

“This treatment is not widely advertised due to its specific specialization and

16

ReFINEd HALIFAX

uniqueness,” says lead esthetician Jenny Veinotte. “Receiving a complimentary consultation ensures Thermage is the proper treatment selection to address and correct the patient’s concerns.”

Thermage treatments are ideal for both men and women age 30-65.

Male treatments are on the rise, and with the intense competition in the job market today, some men are looking for alternatives toward a younger appearance.

The younger the patient, the more they will maintain their beautiful youthful skin. The more mature patient will not only see smoothing and lifting results, but will notice skin rejuvenation until collagen production peaks at roughly

YOUR HEALTH

six months. Thermage is often used as an alternative to invasive eye or neck lift surgeries. From face and neck to tummy and legs, Thermage provides drastic skin tightening and has been called total skin rejuvenation.

Before undergoing treatment, patients are advised to prepare their skin so it is as healthy as possible. “Healthy skin will respond best to any type of in-house procedure,” says Veinotte. “I recommend an at-home skin regimen consult with your clinical esthetician first so they can suggest proper ingredients for your skin’s needs.”

Performed using a radio-frequency energy applied to the surface of the skin through a very scientific tip, Thermage

is the process of volumetrically heating the layers of skin that reach down to the dermis and surrounding tissue.

Depending on the area of body, a treatment can take from one to two hours. Contraindications are very minimal for this non-invasive procedure.

“Patients can expect some subtle changes the day of the treatment and continued improvement in skin quality, including smoothing, lifting and accentuating, which peaks at six months,” says Veinotte.

Recent studies have shown even greater results when Thermage treatments are delivered once a year. “Some patients see results immediately along the jawline

or cheek where there’s vectoring,” says Veinotte.

Following a Thermage treatment, one of the most effective skin care ingredients is vitamin C serum, as found in VivierPharma’s Vitamin C&E Serum, which is a stable form of L-ascorbic acid.

As Thermage creates fresh new collagen cells in your skin, the vitamin C is pivotal in preserving, maintaining and nourishing to create long-lasting results. An SPF is always recommended for healthy looking skin.

Vitality Medi-Spa prides itself on exceptional customer relations and the ability to service all your hair salon,

YOUR HEALTH

spa and cosmetic medical needs. They provide a unique experience by offering full salon services, including Redken cutting and hair colour technology, day spa services such as manicures, pedicures, facial treatments and cosmetic medical services.

To find out more about Thermage, book your complimentary consultation at Vitality Medi-Spa!

Vitality Medi-Spa Located in the Upper Level of Spring Garden Place at: 5640 Spring Garden Road, Halifax 902.422.4475 vitalitymedispa.ca

ReFINEd HALIFAX

17

Myth 5 “All kids should have braces around age 12” Fact 5: Timing of orthodontic treatment depends on the specific growth pattern and development of the individual child.

Some kids need braces early to prevent significant problems from developing.

Other kids need to wait for teeth that are growing slowly. Some people with jaw growth issues need to start treatment earlier to ensure we can normalize growth of the jaw bones while others with a different jaw bone pattern may not be sensitive to treatment timing. While another, more rare form of jaw bone disharmony is best treated when jaw bone growth is complete.

EA

EXPERT ADVICE

EXPERT ADVICE

I AM TOO OLD TO STRAIGHTEN MY TEETH AND OTHER ORTHODONTIC MYTHS

O

ver the past 11 years, patients have asked us a lot of really good questions about teeth and orthodontics and some questions tend to come up frequently. In this article we will explore some orthodontics myths and facts.

Myth 1 ”I am too old to straighten my teeth” Fact 1: One of our eldest patient is in his 80s. There is no such thing as too old to straighten your teeth. Teeth can be moved throughout our whole lives and it is safe to do so as long as the gums are healthy. Some medical conditions and medications, such as chemotherapy, may be a contraindication to temporarily moving teeth, but age is not one of them.

Our population is living longer, therefore a strong and beautiful smile is important at any age!

Myth 2 “My child has a lot of crowded teeth but his or her jaw will grow and make space for the teeth” Fact 2: The space for all the adult teeth in front of the permanent molars does not increase with growth. The jaw bones do grow as the child grows, but the perimeter for teeth does not increase in front of the permanent molars. Teeth actually tend to shift forward with growth and aging therefore they tend to becomes

18

ReFINEd HALIFAX

more crowded over time. With the guidance of an orthodontist, space can be made available for adult teeth with space maintainers than would otherwise not be there. This is why it is so important to see your orthodontist once your child turns seven and adult teeth are beginning to come in.

Myth 3 “If my child’s jaws are not growing well together then nothing can be done to change that”

Myth 6 “I want to straighten my teeth but I can’t because I don’t want to have braces” Fact 6: Technology is always changing.

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that are almost invisible and can straighten teeth and correct bites. Another option is braces that are used on the back sides of the teeth so you cannot see them. Some of our patients have been on TV and no one has noticed that they wear these aesthetic options for straightening teeth!

Please don’t hesitate to ask us questions on your next visit! Our consultations are complimentary and we are always happy to give you our honest opinions!

Fact 3: Several types of jaw bone growth patterns show an excellent response to growth modification when treatment is started at the right age. We can and do change jaw patterns and prevent future jaw surgeries for a lot of our patients.

Myth 4 “If my child has braces in tween or teen years, then his or her wisdom teeth will cause the teeth to shift later and braces will be needed again” Fact 4: Not so! Teeth drift and shift with growth and ageing and very well designed studies in orthodontics show that wisdom teeth have very little, if anything, to do with crowding. Retainers are needed after braces regardless of the age when treatment is done, and they will keep teeth straight as long as they are worn. The only way teeth will move after braces is if retainers are not worn as directed.

YOUR HEALTH

Dr. Magda Barnard B.Sc., D.D.S. (with distinction), M.Sc. (Orthodontics), F.R.C.D(C) Suite 206, Sunnyside Mall 1595 Bedford Highway, Bedford 902.835.6531 www.bedfordortho.com

EA

EXPERT ADVICE

SOMEWHAT SPRING-ISH WITH A CHANCE OF SUN Spring is here... I think. The days are longer and the crocuses are up, so winter must be done with us, right?

I

n Nova Scotia, there never seems to be a firm timeframe for the change of seasons. Having a mild winter — as we had this year — means you are always waiting for that proverbial shoe to drop: winter’s “last hurrah.” Regardless, I am willing to acknowledge there is now more sun and warmer rain. It might be the right time to talk about protecting your eyes from the sun.

A generation ago we were inundated with bad news about the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. We heard a lot about the depletion of the ozone layer causing an increase in hazardous UV, and all the statistics and dire predictions of an upswing in skin cancer rates. We were warned to wear sunscreen and sunglasses to protect our skin and eyes from harm.

A lifetime of exposure to UV freckles our skin and increases our likelihood of getting a variety of cancerous and precancerous skin lesions. UV exposure accelerates general aging changes in our skin. The delicate skin around our eyes is especially susceptible to damage.

Cataracts are opacities of the crystalline lens of the eye. The lens sits behind the

iris and pupil and is responsible for our ability to focus our eyes. Cataracts are considered to be the result of normal aging, but their time course is greatly accelerated by exposure to UV radiation.

Longer sunny days are coming! Grab those sunglasses and enjoy our Nova Scotia spring!

Oh, I almost forgot: sunglasses make you look cool, too!

Being on the water increases your exposure to UV. You have the “double whammy” of sun exposure and the reflection of UV from the surface of the water.

Cloudy skies aren’t protection from UV. When you are outside for any length of time it’s important to wear sunglasses, have regular glasses with UV-coated lenses, or wear lenses made of UV-resistant materials. Just ask your optometrist or optician.

Exposure to UV is cumulative, as well.

Most of the damage done to our skin and eyes occurs before adulthood, so don’t forget the kids!

Sunglasses and sunscreen are your best defense against UV radiation from the sun. Regular eye examinations are the best way to monitor eyelid and eye health changes related to aging — changes accelerated by a lifetime of UV exposure.

YOUR HEALTH

Dr. Jeff Buchanan-Dorrance

Optometrist & CEO

West Halifax Optometry Group 2828 Windsor St., Halifax 902.406.2020 www.westhalifaxoptometry.ca

ReFINEd HALIFAX

19

Build a Better Home Gym and a

BETTER BODY

By Katrina Geenevasen-Garlough

20

ReFINEd HALIFAX

YOUR HEALTH

During our cold Canadian winters, it’s easy to let fitness habits go into hibernation. Don’t let the chillinducing weather get the best of your spring fitness goals — build a better body with a home gym and be summer-ready in just a few short months.

Start With the Basics Whether you’re a gym novice or an experienced pro, start with the basics. All you need is a Swiss ball, a resistance band, a set of dumbbells and a medicine ball to kick start your workout regime.

Swiss balls, also known as stability balls, are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment for a home gym.

Portable, lightweight and easy to store, stability balls have proven to be a highly effective tool in helping users develop a solid core — and who doesn’t want that? Tackle basic moves like pushups, squats and planks on this uneven surface and you’ll be well on your way to a better body in no time at all.

Resistance bands — which are great for all fitness levels — are a fantastic way to build muscle and blast fat. Try a lunge with a bicep curl. You’ll quickly notice how the band forces you to use muscles you might miss with weights alone.

Dumbbells, which are equally versatile and easy to use, have proven to be a staple in many home gyms because they promise an inexpensive way to strengthen and shape muscles.

If running in the great outdoors while the weather is still chilly isn’t your thing, a treadmill might be a good place to start. This stationary machine — which gives you no excuse to avoid a run or a brisk walk — puts you in control by allowing you to control both the effort you want to output and the speed. Incline for more of a challenge, or try a decline to whip those legs into shape. Many treadmills are shock- absorbent to some degree, reducing stress on joints that may prove too tender for hitting the pavement. Another benefit? They allow users to easily track steps, the amount of calories burned and heart rate, making workouts both safer and more effective. If you’re a multi-tasker, catch up on your favourite television show or read a book while blasting fat at the same time.

Are you more of a pedal-pusher? Easy on the hips and knees, stationary bikes have been a go-to for many home gym owners — and for good reason. Available in a wide variety of sizes, price ranges and styles, they’re a great way to get a super cardio workout without stressing joints. Like any other piece of equipment, start small and work your way up to a more intense workout by adding tension.

Like stationary bikes, rowing machines are also easy on joints, and are a great way to safely build and tone muscles. In fact, rowing machines work nearly every major muscle in your body. If weight loss is your goal, rowing is a highly effective way to do it — rowing rapidly torches calories.

If you want to climb your way to a skinnier self, try a stair climber. Great for all fitness levels, climbers are easy to use, and like the machines mentioned above, allow users to easily control speed and resistance. A non-impact workout, stair climbing is great for both cardiovascular health and weight loss because it increases heart rate.

If you want to take your routine to the next level, consider purchasing a Bosu balance trainer. It’s a multiuse piece of equipment that allows you to make your workout regime a little more challenging. If you’re really feeling motivated, try standing on it for a lower body workout while you do upper body exercises such as bicep curls.

Stationary Cardio machines Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals of your get-fit routine, you might wish to make more of an investment in your health and home gym. So where do you start?

YOUR HEALTH

ReFINEd HALIFAX

21

EA

EXPERT ADVICE

EXPERT ADVICE

ICE OR HEAT? THAT IS OUR NO. 1 QUESTION

H

ave you ever stared at your magic bag while you were in pain and asked yourself, “Do I use heat or ice?”

As a chiropractor, we are always making recommendations on whether to apply a hot or cold compress to an area of discomfort and how frequently. During my 15 years of clinical practice, the following recommendations have been helpful for my patients: If it’s in an area of a joint, the general rule of thumb is to use ice. For the most relief, keep the following tips in mind:

• Apply the ice in 10 to 15 minute intervals • Do not use a bag of frozen vegetables, as it won’t maintain the cold temperature long enough for you to get the most benefit • Do not use an icy topical cream, as it doesn’t have the same effect as ice to reduce the inflammation (icy topical cream can be applied afterwards) • If there is swelling and heat is given off, ice will help to ease inflammation • You can alternate ice and heat, but end your treatment with ice if there is a lot of swelling as a “flushing technique”

If it’s an area of a muscle, the general rule of thumb is to apply heat. Consider the following guidelines for the most benefit:

22

ReFINEd HALIFAX

• Apply heat in 25-30 minute intervals • Do not fall asleep with a heating pad, especially if it doesn’t have an automatic shut off • Take extra care to ensure you don’t burn your skin • If you prefer, moist heat can also be applied

If you’re experiencing pain in your neck and shoulder area, apply heat to the top of the shoulders, and ice at the base of the skull and along the spine. If a magic bag is used, be careful with your head and shoulder positioning. Try not to have your head forward too much and keep your shoulders back and relaxed. Remember to breathe and try to relax. You can also try applying a small ice pack vertically along the spine after sitting with the heat on the shoulders while you’re lying down. Topical creams can be applied afterwards, especially if you’re heading to work or going to sleep. Be careful how frequently you apply creams containing anti-inflammatories.

If you’re experiencing pain in your lower back area, apply ice in the spinal area but not encompassing the whole back area, as the muscles like heat. An Epsom salt bath is also helpful, followed by icing.

Heat can be beneficial if lower back pain has been present for a very long time and there’s minimal swelling present. Monitor

YOUR HEALTH

your pain. If it seems to be getting worse, switch to ice.

If you prefer, heat can be applied first, but ice should be applied along the spine especially in the lower back and pelvic area. Again, topical agents can be applied afterwards.

While hot and cold compresses will help with discomfort, try to also incorporate acupressure or acupuncture treatments; chiropractic adjustments to balance alignment issues; regular stretches; massage therapy; ergonomic advice; daily exercise; mental affirmations and mental exercises to relieve pain perception. It’s also important to ensure you are getting adequate rest. Adding spices such as turmeric to your diet can be helpful, as well.

Dr. Tasia Lazaros B.Sc.(H), D.C. Healthy Link Chiropractic Wellness Ctr. Inc. 362 Lacewood Dr Ste 201, Halifax 902.446.5465 drt@healthylinkwellness.ca www.healthylinkwellness.ca

EA

EXPERT ADVICE

EXPERT ADVICE

THE BEST SOLUTION FOR FACIAL HAIR PROBLEMS

I

have been performing permanent facial hair removal treatments for more than 30 years. I have seen a lot of hair… disappear.

After an initial consultation, it’s my job to help women (and men) solve their facial hair removal stress. For some, stress is probably too big a word — they are just tired of tweezing or waxing their eyebrows all the time. But for most, unwanted facial hair is a confidence altering issue and can be a big deal.

Let me share the inside truth about facial hair removal. Waxing, tweezing and even shaving the face (except the eyebrows and forehead) will often cause an increase in hair growth, as these areas are hormonally influenced in women.

It can start after puberty and after hormonal shifts as we age. Going on and off hormone-altering birth control and pregnancy can also stimulate accelerated hair growth. Any device or chemical that simply cuts the hair slightly below the surface of the skin to prolong its return can also fall into this category.

more than 15 years — but it is not the best solution for facial hair for most women.

Laser hair removal does not remove light, white or red hair permanently. It is less successful and has higher risks of skin damage when performed on skin with colour. It also cannot be performed well on tanned skin. I love laser for removing unwanted body hair on the right candidates, but it does not work for everyone.

Electrolysis is permanent and can be successfully performed on any skin and hair colour. It is successful on fine or coarse hair. It does have some discomfort, but this is different for everyone. I have clients that fall asleep during treatments.

The truth is, laser, waxing and tweezing also hurt. Maybe for some, electrolysis hurts more than these methods, but it is permanent. The pain ends and the joy begins. For those with low pain thresholds, there are topical numbing creams that help.

So what is a girl to do? Electrolysis is my answer! It’s the only method of hair removal allowed to be advertised as “permanent,” and has been proven safe and effective for more than 140 years.

If you have been tweezing, waxing, picking at and damaging the beauty of your skin in your quest for hairlessness, then maybe it’s time to consider something new. I have yet to meet a client who has been disappointed with electrolysis. A lifetime free of hair and any stress it might cause is worth it.

I love laser — I have been performing laser hair removal regularly for clients for

To learn more about electrolysis, book a Permanent Hair Removal Consultation

YOUR HEALTH

with one of the highly experienced Electrologists and Laser Technicians at The Summit – Skin Care & Hair Removal.

You can also read more at http:// summitspa.ca/articles/electrolysis

Susan Alward Master Clinical Esthetician, Electrologist & Laser Technician The Summit - Skin Care & Hair Removal 5495 Spring Garden Road, Suite 101 Halifax, Nova Scotia 902.423.3888 www.summitspa.ca

ReFINEd HALIFAX

23

Genetic testing can identify if one is predisposed to periodontal disease.

Stress: By suppressing the body’s immune system to fight off infection, stress can increase the risk of periodontal disease.

EA

Poor nutrition: Poor diet can suppress the body’s immune system to fight off infection.

EXPERT ADVICE

EXPERT ADVICE

Obesity may increase the risk of periodontal disease.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE: SIGNS, CAUSES & RISK FACTORS 1. What is periodontal disease?

Also known as gum disease, periodontal disease refers to a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the tissues supporting teeth. These tissues include gums, the jawbone and the connective tissue attaching teeth to the jawbone. Although there are different forms of periodontal disease, the most common forms are known as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Whereas gingivitis is typically treatable, periodontitis can result in significant loss of bone around teeth. Early diagnosis is key to successful treatment.

2. What are signs or symptoms of periodontal disease?

• Red and puffy gums • Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing • Loose teeth • “Migrating teeth” resulting in spaces between teeth • Pain. It is important to note that periodontal disease in its early stages is a “silent” condition. Pain and discomfort are manifested in advanced stages of the disease.

ignite an inflammatory response in the gums. As a result, the gums become red and swollen and bleed easily. Often, the body’s immune cells produce cytokines to fight off the bacterial infection. These cytokines have been shown to cause damage in the body tissues. Therefore, the damage seen in periodontal disease is caused not only by the bacteria, but also by the body’s own immune cells.

While the main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria-induced inflammation, there are risk factors that can increase the likelihood of periodontal disease in an individual. Epidemiologic studies have identified the following risk factors for periodontal disease:

It is recommended that you see your dentist or dental hygienist at least once a year to check your gums for signs of periodontal disease. If you have any of the signs or symptoms of periodontal disease, your dentist or hygienist will refer you to a periodontist. Early detection and treatment of periodontal disease can not only prevent irreversible loss of bone around teeth, it can also reduce the need for more complex and costly treatments in the future.

Age: As individuals get older, they are more at risk for developing periodontal disease. In fact, about half of individuals over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease.

3. What causes periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is typically caused by bacteria within the dental plaque beneath the gum line. The bacteria

Genetics: A family history of periodontal disease increases an individual’s susceptibility to periodontal disease.

ReFINEd HALIFAX

4. What can be done if you suspect you have periodontal disease?

Poor oral hygiene: Poor homecare results in plaque build-up beneath the gum line, resulting in inflammation of the gums, aka gingivitis.

Smoking/tobacco use: Tobacco use is a significant risk factor in the development and progression of periodontal disease.

24

Other systemic diseases: Recent studies have linked diabetes, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis, among others, to periodontal disease. These systemic diseases could suppress the immune system to fight off infection in the gums.

YOUR HEALTH

Dr. Edmond Ghiabi Periodontist Pinnacle Dental Specialists 255 Lacewood Dr., Suite 307 Halifax 902.407.7377 admin@pdsns.com www.pdsns.com

DRINK YOUR WAY

TO GOOD HEALTH

By Melanie Furlong

MEAN GREEN JUICE Ingredients: 2 cucumbers 8 celery stalks 4 apples 16 leaves kale with stalks 1 lemon 5 cm piece of ginger

Whether you try juicing as a path to weight loss or just want to improve your nutrition, you can’t go wrong juicing some delicious fresh fruit and vegetables. Take an antioxidant hit with a Mean Green Juice, like the one Joe Cross drank for 60 days while filming his documentary Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. Or you can make juices to give you energy boosts, cure hangovers or improve your mood. Making juice is also a great way to increase your consumption of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

Directions: Wash all produce well.

Peel the lemon and core apple.

Add all ingredients through juicer and enjoy!

Servings: Makes 2 servings of 16-20 oz (500-600 ml)

A JUICE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY Ingredients: 4 chard leaves and stems 1 cup spinach 1 large beet and leaves 2 oranges 1 lemon 2.5 cm piece of turmeric Directions: Wash and scrub all produce well.

Peel the beet, oranges and lemon.

Add all ingredients to juicer and enjoy!

Substitutions: Chard – kale, spinach, lettuce, watercress, arugula Spinach – kale, chard, lettuce, watercress, arugula Beets – golden beets, radish, carrots Orange – grapefruit, orange, mandarin Lemon – grapefruit, lime Turmeric – mint, ginger Recipes from rebootwithjoe.com

YOUR HEALTH

ReFINEd HALIFAX

25

CITY LIFE | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A Field of Stars shines on singer

JENN GRANT

By Melanie Furlong Photos DeeDee Morris

By the time Halifax singer-songwriter Jenn Grant arrived at the East Coast Music Awards in Sydney in April, she probably felt as though she just crossed the finish line after an incredible worldwide tour of her latest album, Compostela.

26

ReFINEd HALIFAX

CITY LIFE

“We have a special sacredness to our community. We’ve all decided to stay on the East Coast and there’s so much talent here. It’s exciting to shine a light on all these people and show the world we’re creating a lot of great music.”

– Jenn Grant

P

laying shows across Canada, the United States, Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom, Grant and her husband, awardwinning music producer Daniel Ledwell, covered hundreds of venues and music festivals, bringing the album’s lush and adventurous offerings — including hits like No One’s Gonna Love You (Quite Like I Do) — to her many fans.

Grant, who won the ECMA for solo recording of the year for Compostela, was also one of the spectacular acts that performed at the 2016 East Coast Music Awards Gala at Sydney’s Centre 200 on April 14.

Grant, who grew up in Keppoch, Prince Edward Island, started singing at an early age. “I remember going out to a nearby field and singing,” she says, while at home for a break from the rigorous tour. “That was when I was about eight years old.

I realized then that singing gave me a sense of release.”

In elementary school, Grant tried to join the choir, but was rejected for what the teacher deemed a “swoopy” voice. By age 12, she was playing guitar and writing her own songs.

Today, Grant still writes all her own songs.

After her mother’s death, she wrote the songs on her album Compostela, mentally revisiting all the places she’d been to in Spain with Ledwell. “I was processing what had just happened and a lot of that

beauty went into it,” says Grant. “I wanted to give it the Spanish title, Compostela, which reflects a kind of parallel journey along the ‘Field of Stars.’ I thought it was fitting.”

But no collaborator is more important than Grant’s producer-husband Ledwell.

“Besides being a great partner in life, it’s been amazing to tour together and collaborate musically,” she says.

Teetering on psychedelic folk and into a balladry of melodic storytelling, Grant takes inspiration from many different artists. From Patsy Cline and Etta James to First Aid Kit, Frazey Ford and Father John Misty, she enjoys a wide variety of music. Grant also enjoys collaborating with musical friends and features work with several on Compostela, including Sarah Harmer, Buck 65, Ron Sexsmith and Rose Cousins.

Grant was excited to attend the ECMAs this year and catch up with many old friends in this tight-knit community.

“It’s like a family reunion everyone really enjoys,” says Grant. “We have a special sacredness to our community. We’ve all decided to stay on the East Coast and there’s so much talent here. It’s exciting to shine a light on all these people and show the world we’re creating a lot of great music.”

CITY LIFE

ReFINEd HALIFAX

27

BALANCE

KEEPING IT ALL IN

By Lisa Drader-Murphy

28

ReFINEd HALIFAX

CITY LIFE

Kristin Langille knew from a young age that theatre and performance would play a major role in her future. Now a successful Halifaxbased actor, model and aerial performer, Langille’s theatre repertoire boasts more than 10 leading roles, as well as numerous parts in film and television. For her lead role as Beth in the feature film There are Monsters, she was honoured with The Joan Orenstein Award for Outstanding Work by an Actress at the 2013 Atlantic Film Festival. More recently, Langille had principal roles on the series Haven, CBC’s Mr. D and Lizzie Borden Took An Ax. Kristin Langille PHOTO BY Steph MacKinnon

“I always wanted to be an artist but I wasn’t sure what that would mean for me… I found my voice through movement.”

– Kristin Langille

LEFT PHOTO BY Rene Robyn

A

mong her many commercial modelling projects, Langille is a recognized face for Nova Scotia Tourism and a regular print and runway model for Halifax fashion designers. She is also one of Eastern Canada’s most recognizable circus performers and teachers. Her critically acclaimed double fire and aerial silks show, Up in the Air: A Circus Love Story, won the Fringe Hit award at the 2015 Atlantic Fringe Festival. She also has a bachelor of education from the University of Maine, is a graduate of the Dalhousie acting program and a member of the Irondale Ensemble Theatre Company.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Langille, who speaks passionately about her three-year-old daughter, Imogen, her artistic journey, upcoming projects and how she keeps it all in balance.

CITY LIFE

Lisa Drader-Murphy: Creatives are often pointed toward more traditional or “stable” career options, instead of following their passion to become artists.

Did you ever feel pressure to choose a more practical path?

Kristin Langille: Early on I really wanted to be an artist and my mom supported that and encouraged me. My father taught me that “the meek shall inherit the earth,” and to be humble and open.

They are both the most generous people.

When I was nine I became fascinated with theatre. I always wanted to be an artist but I wasn’t sure what that would mean for me… I found my voice through movement. My mom bought us season passes to Neptune Theatre. I was a fan of Joan Orenstein and loved to watch her.

She was brilliant. I am really lucky. I was young, but I got to see a lot of her theatre work so to win an award in her name, years later, was really special.

ReFINEd HALIFAX

29

PHOTO ABOVE BY Sarah Anne Fancy PHOTO BELOW BY Paul Vienneau

PHOTO BY Clement Chan

PHOTO BY Stoo Metz

LDM: In 2012 you travelled to Mumbai India to perform aerial silks and aerial dance trapeze for the 2nd Annual Indian Clown Festival and more recently to Hong Kong to compete in the PPS Aerial Tournament with your solo act on dance trapeze.

Did you feel ready to compete for such a prestigious award?

everything, and then I’m reassured that this is the cycle of life. We live in 2016 and it’s OK to have a voice and share the family responsibilities. I spend a lot of time with my daughter. She’s an outdoor girl and we spend a lot of precious time in nature. I turn my phone off and it’s just us.

As women we are allowed to follow our journey and in doing so we are setting a great example for our daughters.

KL: I was excited to compete and thrilled to place third, but it was never about winning. I entered thinking it would be a great meeting ground for artists around the world, and it absolutely was.

It connected me with people from 12 different countries, many of which I’ve kept in contact with and we have been sharing knowledge. My team Canada roommates, Danielle and Melissa, made the experience so wonderful. We trained together at HKCircus and GoNature circus gym, and we had so many adventures together. The whole journey: training and the whole creation process was about pushing myself… coming up with something new.

LDM: With so many doors opening to you, how do you choose opportunities while striking personal and professional balance?

KL: We, as mothers, often feel so guilty about the time that we miss. I’ve connected with so many other mothers who are artists and have found a source of support there. I’m creating and working so hard but often end up feeling like I’m missing

30

ReFINEd HALIFAX

CITY LIFE

Lisa Drader-Murphy, National Style & Celebrity Columnist, ReFINEd Magazine

events spring

MAY 6 – 14 Nova Scotia Craft Beer Week Various locations

JULY 7 – 10 Lebanese Festival Olympic Community Centre

MAY 27 Gerry Dee Scotiabank Centre

JULY 8 – 11 Maritime Fiddle Festival Various locations in Dartmouth

JUNE 4 – 5 Doors Open Halifax Various locations in Halifax

JULY 13 – 17 TD Halifax Jazz Festival Various locations in Halifax

JUNE 9 – 12 Halifax Greek Fest St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church

JULY 14 – 24 Halifax Pride Festival Various locations in Halifax

JUNE 18 – 19 Play On! Halifax (Hockey Night in Canada 4 on 4) Halifax Common

JULY 27 – AUGUST 1 Halifax International Busker Festival Halifax Waterfront AUGUST 5 – 6 Halifax Seaport Beerfest Halifax Waterfront

JUNE 30 – JULY 7 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Scotiabank Centre

AUGUST 18 Rascal Flatts Scotiabank Centre

JULY 2 Subaru EPIC Dartmouth Long-distance Triathlon Dartmouth

CITY LIFE

ReFINEd HALIFAX

31

Irish-Newfoundland Film brings

TO THE SCREEN

By Melanie Furlong

32

ReFINEd HALIFAX

CITY LIFE

Yellow Cats by Maud Lewis; Photo courtesy of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

N

ova Scotia artist Maud Lewis was a remarkable woman by all standards.

Suffering from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, Lewis produced and sold bright, cheerful folk art paintings of animals and rural life inspired by her everyday experiences.

She was renowned in her lifetime for painting the tiny Digby area home she shared with her fish-peddling husband, Everett Lewis. Now, a new movie about her life, titled Maudie — co-produced by Newfoundland’s Mary Sexton, Mary Young Leckie and Ireland’s Parallel Film Productions — will bring her story to a much wider audience.

CITY LIFE

ReFINEd HALIFAX

33

"I thought she was an inspiration to us all. Her infectious energy and her art cast no shadows. Her determination and desire to live life to the fullest was inspiring."

- Mary Sexton

cent to make their characters come to light. I have tremendous respect for them and love them both.”

Ten years ago, when Young Leckie visited the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and saw the 10 ft. by 12 ft. cabin in which Maud and Everett lived and worked, she became enthralled with their story. She asked well-known Newfoundland writer Sherry White, whose dark sense of humour and writing sensibility was the right fit for the project, to write the script, which focuses on the love story of two outsiders who found each other.

Director Aisling Walsh

Irish director Aisling Walsh, of the BBC miniseries Fingersmith, brought on stars Ethan Hawke, a four-time Oscar nominee best known for films The Dead Poets Society, Boyhood and Training Day, to play Everett, and Sally Hawkins, also Oscar nominated for her work in Blue Jasmine, to play Maud. The film spans 40 years of their life together and was filmed in the Goulds area of St. John’s for six weeks last fall.

While both stars have since left the province, they say they enjoyed their time here and hope to come back when the film is launched in October 2016.

“Both Ethan and Sally are true stars,” says Sexton, who got her start in the film business as a location scout for CODCO. “They embraced Newfoundland, the people, the weather and gave 200 per Ethan Hawke

34

ReFINEd HALIFAX

CITY LIFE

Young Leckie couldn’t find a Nova Scotia producer to partner with and both she and Sexton were on the board of directors of the Canadian Media Production Association. Young Leckie asked Sexton if she would partner with her on the Maudie project and she agreed immediately.

“I simply love the Maud Lewis story,” says Sexton. “I thought she was an inspiration to us all. Her infectious energy and her art cast no shadows. Her determination and desire to live life to the fullest was inspiring. She was a pioneer folk artist and brought the medium to the world. The fact that she painted her and Everett’s little 10 ft. by 12 ft. cabin inside and out just makes me smile.”

Filming in such a small cabin would have posed serious challenges, but an amazing replica of it was built on set in the Goulds.

The 12 ft. by 15 ft. cabin held enough room for two actors and a film crew, but was built to spec from the original. The

interior went through three phases of painting to recreate different stages of Maud’s life.

While Lewis sold many of her paintings for mere cents in her lifetime, her painting of three black cats, Cats, sold for more than $15,000 at auction in August 2015. Her Deer in the Woods painting sold for more than $16,000 back in 2007.

Choosing a favourite of Lewis’ works is difficult for Sexton.

“What I loved most was that she painted her dustpan with the three little cats!” she says. “She even made sweeping up fun.”

Getting the film made, with development funding from both Telefilm Canada and The Newfoundland Film Development Corporation, has been a major achievement for Sexton and her colleagues. But being able to tell the story of Maud Lewis in a feature film has been a dream come true. “It has been 10 years of hard work and the entire shoot involved a lot of hard work by our entire team, but it is all going to be worth it.

I count my blessings daily that I have my health and I get to do a job I love doing.”

The film’s $6.9 million budget injected a great economic boost into the community with more than half being spent in Newfoundland. The film will be submitted to various festivals, including Cannes and TIFF, and will be released in theatres next fall.

ReFINEd HALIFAX

35

FOOD & DRINK

PAIRING

&

chocolate

IT’S A TOUGH JOB, BUT EVERYONE SHOULD DO IT!

By Cheryl Doherty

We’re now most of the way through candy season, which starts at Halloween, continues through Christmas and Valentine’s Day and finally ends after Easter.

One of the most popular questions asked of a sommelier during this extended season is, “What wine do I drink with chocolate?”

36

ReFINEd HALIFAX

FOOD & DRINK

S

ome wine varietals naturally give off aromas and flavours of cocoa, dark and sometimes even milk chocolate. More often than not, however, these wines don’t match very well with the mouthwatering chocolate lava cake or chocolate mousse the household chef has painstakingly created.

chocolate. The occurance of the tannin in both the food and wine should be equally matched. The tannin in dark chocolate can make a wine seem even drier and more tannic. Softness, roundness and balance are all key.

So long as the above rules are followed, flavours can then be thrown into the mix, either as complimentary or contrasting. A dark chocolate bark pairs wonderfully with the ripe fruit of a ruby port — think chocolate cherries! Pair a savoury sauce that contains chocolate, such as a Mexican mole sauce or a dry rub containing cocoa, with a fruity California zinfandel or a spicy Australian shiraz.

So, how do we pair wine and chocolate? Three key elements need to be taken into account. The first and most important is sweetness. Whatever wine you choose to serve with chocolate — whether the chocolate be a luscious dessert or a simple dark chocolate-covered strawberry — the wine must always be sweeter than the dessert. If the wine has less residual sugar than the accompanying food, the wine will taste bitter and astringent. From this we can determine that a sweet milky chocolate will require a sweeter wine than a chunk of 80 per cent dark chocolate.

There are chocolate “kits” on the market that one can use to experiment with wine and chocolate, but it is easy to get together a few friends, a few assorted good quality chocolate bars and a couple of sweet wines and indulge. It’s a long time until Halloween comes around again — loads of time to develop your own wine and chocolate pairings!

Many wine drinkers are leery about venturing into the world of anything but dry wines, but well-made sweet wines are balanced by excellent acidity, making them a refreshing and often juicy accompaniment to sweets.

Cheryl Doherty

The second element is body. Look for full-bodied wines to match with full-bodied, heavy chocolates or chocolate desserts. Often a fortified wine such as Banyuls or a Malmsey Madiera is the best choice, particularly with rich or creamy desserts. A lighter dessert such as a chocolate mousse might suit a fresh Moscato d’Asti.

Don’t serve any wine too cold though; one of the best things about chocolate is the way it melts in your mouth, and a wine that is too cold will inhibit that pleasure.

The third element to remember when pairing wine and chocolate is tannin. Tannin is the feeling of dryness that occurs in the mouth, similar to the sensation of drinking strong tea. Tannins are prevalent in many red wines and also in dark

FOOD & DRINK

ReFINEd HALIFAX

37

WINES TO TRY

Beef Short Ribs Mole 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tbsp ancho chilli powder 1 tbsp granulated garlic 1 tbsp sea salt 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tbsp ground coriander Beef short ribs for 4, bone in

Brown the ribs in a Dutch oven in the oil until completely browned on all sides.

Remove and brown the onion and garlic for five minutes then add the ancho chillies and tomato paste. Cook for three minutes. Stir and add diced tomatoes scraping up the bits from the bottom of the pan. Add chocolate square and stir until melted. Add the ribs, and enough beef stock so ribs are about three quarters covered. Place in oven at 375 degrees for one and a half to two hours or until meat is very tender. You may need to add a bit of stock to keep sauce at correct consistency. Taste sauce for seasoning. Serve with rice and roasted yellow squash.

Domaine de Grand Pré Riesling Icewine Top wine at both the Atlantic Canadian Wine Awards and the Lieutenant Governer’s Wine Awards, this limited edition wine is a rare delight of rich dried and exotic fruits, complemented by honey and just a hint of oak.

Domaine de Grand Pré $54.50

Blandys Five-year-old Malmsey Madiera Notes of caramel, walnut, dried raisins, dates, orange peel and baking spices, balanced by bright acidity and a mellow finish.

NSLC $29.99

WINE PAIRING

3 tbsp bacon fat – or vegetable oil 1 small onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 4 dried ancho chilli peppers, soaked for 30 minutes in warm water, drained then chopped fine 1 small can tomato paste 1 small can diced tomatoes 1 oz semi sweet dark chocolate 1 cinnamon stick 2 cups beef stock

Use first six ingredients to make a spice rub. Coat the ribs and leave sit for 30 minutes, or longer.

Gina’s Red, Gaspereau Vineyards A blend of Marachel Foch, Marquette, Triomphe d’Alsace and Lucie Kuhlmann.

Award winning red wine from Nova Scotia Red plum and black cherry, with underlying floral, vanilla and slight liquorice notes.

Medium body, fresh fruit from stainless steel fermenting and soft spice from subtle oak. NSLC $21.99

38

ReFINEd HALIFAX

FOOD & DRINK

TEMPO FOOD + DRINK Looking for a great spot to relax with friends after work?

Delta Barrington’s Tempo Food + Drink’s beautiful lounge overlooking the corner of Barrington and Duke streets offers local beer on tap, wine by the glass, daily Happy Hours from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Martini Fridays.

Tempo Food + Drink has been voted Silver Winner - Best Hotel Restaurant in the Coast’s Best of Halifax Readers’ Choice Awards for two years in a row.

Their chic and modern restaurant, featuring an openconcept kitchen, is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. Offering daily chef-inspired menu items, such as their vegan, gluten-free soups of the day, as well as favourites like their award-winning Tempo Fish Taco.

If you just need a quick lunch or snack, their Grab and Go section features homemade sandwiches, soups and a Starbucks coffee shop.

Tempo Food + Drink can host corporate events, Christmas parties and other private events. Call today to book your party!

1875 Barrington St., Halifax | 902.428.3676 | www.tempofoodanddrink.com

BASIN CAFÉ & BISTRO

NOW OPEN

in the Bedford Basin Farmers’ Market

By Melanie Furlong Photos Steve Jess

40

ReFINEd HALIFAX

FOOD & DRINK

Imagine overlooking the beautiful Bedford Basin, watching waves lap the shore with a steaming cappuccino and mouthwatering pastry in front of you. At the new Basin Café & Bistro on the Bedford Highway, breathtaking views and delicious baked goods are sure to make this café your favourite new meeting place.

T

ry their wide variety of coffees, teas, desserts, pastries and breads. They’ll also have some savoury dishes that are perfect for lunch, including moussaka, stuffed tomatoes and peppers, Mediterraneanstyle cabbage rolls and authentic Greek salad — all prepared by an onsite baker and cook. Smoothies and fresh juices are also served.

The café and market have a distinct European flavour with rustic marble walls, beautiful stone floors and modern lighting. That’s not to mention its vast selection of delicious, fresh local produce along with owner Peter Giannoulis’ own brand of 100 per cent organic extra virgin olive oil, Kastania, made from his own olives grown in the rocky soil of the mountains of Greece. Self-serve your olive oil straight from one of the three

large vats onsite and select your favourite olives. Besides fruit and vegetables, you can find a meat shop, bakery and select dry goods from various European countries in the market.

Upstairs, you’ll find a spacious seating area with WiFi for café-goers.

Conveniently located space with free parking is also available for lease on these two floors.

Outside, the former Farmer Clem’s location is currently being used for storage and the lush plant offerings that will bring your garden to life will soon be on display in the greenhouse and garden centre area.

Giannoulis purchased the former Farmer Clem’s on the Bedford Highway at the beginning of 2014 and the business has

FOOD & DRINK

undergone a tremendous transformation in the last two years. The well-known Halifax developer has now combined the best of local and European food products and the best European stone and style with local craftsmanship, to bring his vision of a unique and authentic market to life.

After months of work on the project, Giannoulis says he is excited to see it open and nearly finished. “It’s finally come together,” he says, “and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved here.”

Drop by today and experience the new Bedford Basin Farmers’ Market!

Bedford Basin Farmers’ Market 397 Bedford Hwy Halifax 902.443.4391 Open 7 days a week 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

ReFINEd HALIFAX

41

RECREATION & TRAVELSCAPES

Get In Touch With

YOUR INNER KIWI Discover New Zealand

By Trina Annand

A

n island paradise, New Zealand is a perfect combination of sandy beaches, lush rain forests, glaciers and icy mountains. The locale’s otherworldly landscape has been used to great effect in both film and television, most notably in Peter Jackson’s rendition of Lord of The Rings. Startling beauty combined with thriving arts, culture and entertainment scenes ensures there is an adventure awaiting everyone in New Zealand.

42

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Astounding Natural Adventures Enjoy the Aurora Australis. The New Zealand equivalent of the Northern Lights, this nocturnal display is best viewed from the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Located on the South Island, this 4,300-sq-km area is the world’s largest Dark Sky area and is bounded by spectacular alpine landscapes.

On the North Island, nighttime adventure combines water sport with a guided kayak tour that ends at canyons filled with luminescent glowworms that echo the night sky. New Zealand is no stranger to adventure tourism; in 1988 it became home to the world’s first commercial bungee jumping experience. Now extreme sports enthusiasts can skydive, trek glaciers and dive amidst thriving seascapes.

RECREATION & TRAVELSCAPES

From surfing and hiking to skiing and spelunking, natural adventures abound in New Zealand. The country is also home to “the finest walk in the world,” Milfork Track. The 55-km hike features deep lakes, fijords, rainforest and granite caverns.

Luxury Excursions Celebrity visitors such as Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and British Royal Family have spurred a wide selection of remote boutique lodges that feature spectacular spa treatments. As part of

ReFINEd HALIFAX

43

New Zealand

facts

Highest point: Mount Cook (3,754 metres) Deepest lake: Lake Hauroko (462 metres) Largest lake: Lake Taupo (606 square kilometres) Longest river: Waikato River (425 kilometres) Largest glacier: Tasman Glacier (29 kilometres) Deepest cave: Nettlebed, Mount Arthur (889 metres)

the Rim of Fire, New Zealand is well known for its thermal springs.

As the country’s best know spa town, Rotorua is famous for its geysers and bubbling mud. The town’s internationally acclaimed Polynesian Spa offers bubbling geyser pools for relaxation and a variety of signature services. Their most popular is the luxurious mud polish and aix massage, which uses the mineralrich muds to purify skin and a massage that takes place under a warm shower with enriching organic coconut oils.

After an amazing spa break, wine connoisseurs can enjoy a wine excursion in one of the country’s multiple growing regions. Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest growing region, producing 76 per cent of the country’s wine and 92 per cent of its sauvignon blanc. The area features nearly 40 wineries and offers tastings of all types.

Cultural Encounters The indigenous peoples of New Zealand, the Maori, have a rich and layered culture that is strongly connected to the lands they call home.

At Te Hana Te Ao Marama, Auckland's leading Maori cultural centre, tribes people offer a wide range of Maori cultural experiences from dancing to education. The culture’s artistry is evident in their intricately carved homes, their highly detailed traditional tattoos and colourful ceremonies. The culture has embraced eco tourism as an important way to protect and preserve their lands. In fact, Tohu Wines is an entirely Maori-owned winery dedicated to sustainable practices.

44

ReFINEd HALIFAX

FOX HARB’R.

THE RESORT FOR THE INDEPENDENT-MINDED. A hidden treasure lies on Nova Scotia’s Northhumberland Shore. What was once 1,100 acres of untamed woods and five kilometres of shoreline, has now been sculpted into an oasis of luxury, peace and unimaginable natural beauty. The vision of Ron Joyce is the result of a man falling in love with a piece of land close to where he grew up. As Nova Scotia’s premier five-star luxury resort, the Fox Harb’r legacy was born.

Located about 90 minutes from Halifax Airport, you can arrive at Fox Harb’r by land, sea or air. The resort has a 5,000 foot private runway along with a deep-water marina.

WORLD-CLASS GOLFING Graham Cooke’s award-winning course design complements the natural beauty of the setting with stunning land and seascapes. Fox Harb’r has garnered a number of esteemed awards and designations that affirm its position as a world-class facility.

SUMPTUOUS SPA Reawaken your spirit with rejuvenating treatments for women, men, and couples in the Spa and Wellness Centre. Swim in the Junior Olympic pool or exercise in the fitness centre with state of the art equipment.

SUPERB CUISINE Dining in the Great Room is a culinary experience or choose the pub-style Willard. Chefs source locally-farmed produce, meats and the finest fresh seafood from local shores. Recently, 25 acres of vineyards have been added to create a unique wine destination.

Many guest fall in love with the resort on their first visit and return annually. A fortunate few now call Fox Harb’r home and live within the gated resort’s community of luxury homes.

THE SPORTING LIFE Avid Sportsmen and women can take advantage of tennis courts, fully stocked trout ponds with fly fishing lessons or the sport shooting range re-designed by world champion Ben Husthwaite. Stroll the seawall along the shoreline or cycle the trails. A four season resort, winter offers cross country skiing and downhill at Wentworth Ski Hill about 20 minutes away.

HOSPITABLE BY NATURE Many of the over 150 staff are local and share their Maritime hospitality with guests. Smiles and waves are genuine and the staff are known to go out of their way with personalized service.

Call Fox Harb’r home Own a residence in Nova Scotia’s premier oceanfront resort

Custom Homes, Executive Towns or Homesites from $199,900 to $1 million** Fractional opportunities also available

• 18-hole Championship Golf Course • Executive Golf Course • Stocked trout ponds • Spa, Junior Olympic Pool & Fitness Center • Fine and casual dining • Sporting Clay • Yacht Charter • Mountain Biking • Vineyards • Golf at over 450 locations with Pacific Links • Health & Fitness Centre • Kayaking • Outdoor Recreation • Tennis • Volleyball • One week every year at Scrub Island Resort in the BVI’s* *For the first 3 years of ownership

Overlook championship golf and ocean Experience the warmest water north of the Carolinas. Sandy beaches.

Country roads. Red bluffs. Green fields. Tidal saltmarshes. Timeless villages. And a rich bounty of fine restaurants, shops, galleries, theatre, museums and festivals. World-class Fox Harb’r Resort.

Where the water is warmer, and so are the people.

Download our Discovery brochure FoxHarbr.com/FineLifestyles 1.866.257.1801 **Prices and specifications correct at press time. E. & O.E.

COVER FEATURE

Andrew Brown

A Luxury Home Away From Home Pine Acres: Family Owned and Operated for 22 Years

By Lori McKay Photos Geoffrey Creighton

The RV lifestyle offers freedom to travel and enjoy the great outdoors, all while surrounded by the comforts of home. But before hitting the road, you have choices to make. There are endless products and models available to make your travelling home all the more luxurious, and making decisions on what to purchase can be daunting. You might need help from an expert.

48

ReFINEd HALIFAX

A

ndrew Brown, owner of Pine Acres RV in Stewiacke, grew up in the RV business. His parents started the company in their yard in Kensington P.E.I. in 1994 and he began working in the family business when he

was 21.

“We did a lot of camping as a family,” says Brown. “We started out camping in tent trailers, then we moved up to used travel trailers and then fifth wheels.”

Today, Pine Acres has four locations in Atlantic Canada. In addition to Stewiacke, which Brown opened in 2012, and P.E.I., they also have locations in Moncton and Hampton, N.B. “We specialize in all different levels of campers. From small travel trailers right up to luxury motor homes,” says Brown.

They carry established brand names such as Prowler, Sunset Trail, Shasta, Cedar Creek, Wildwood, KZ-RV and Newmar. They also

COVER FEATURE

“We specialize in all different levels of campers. From small travel trailers right up to luxury motor homes.”

– Andrew Brown, owner

specialize in park models and destination trailers such as the Cedar Creek Cottage, Hampton, Sierra and Wildwood Lodge.

Many of the brands — including Prowler, Cedar Creek and Sunset Trail — are exclusive to Pine Acres.

“Prowler is our No. 1 selling name brand,” says Brown. “Cedar Creek specializes in high-end park models and fifth wheels, and we sell a lot of these too. We actually

sell a lot of the high-end models. The high-end fifth wheel is a specialty to Pine Acres.”

He says one of the most recent and higher-end models they started carrying is the Riverstone – a 43-foot, ultra-luxury fifth wheel. “It’s the most luxurious fifth wheel you can buy around here. It has a 60-inch TV, three air conditioners, power management systems, selfleveling systems, induction cooktops, ultra luxurious furniture and appliances, and high-end cabinetry. If it sounds nice, it’s because it is. It starts off around $200,000.”

Pine Acres has one of the largest selections in the province, with an average of 150 RVs onsite. They can also custom order models with exact specifications. Ranging from 16 to 44 feet in length, most of their RVs come equipped with a master bedroom and have the option of additional rooms with bunk beds. Many include extra amenities

COVER FEATURE

such as a fireplace, air conditioning, solid surface countertops, full exterior paint and self-leveling systems. “We have options to suit a range of lifestyles and budgets,” says Brown.

He says the majority of their customers are young families buying travel trailers or fifth wheels with bunkrooms and outside kitchens. Most RV parks have a pool and are situated close to a beach or lake. Many also feature activities such as dances and other social gatherings.

“Children make new friends at parks and spend more time outdoors. It’s a great experience for them.”

The lifestyle attracts not only families, Brown says, but retirees and snowbirds that take their RVs south during the winter months. “An RV enables you to see different territories and meet new people. We have a lot of customers that have been in this lifestyle for many years.

Typically, they’ll come in and upgrade to a larger, higher-end unit.”

ReFINEd HALIFAX

49

Brown says in addition to the high-end and exclusive products, it’s their service team that sets them apart from their competitors. Pine Acres will deliver and set up a new destination park model anywhere in Nova Scotia, and has one of the largest staff service departments in the region, which includes offsite service.

“If you have a broken down fridge or maintenance issues of any kind, our service department will go right to your campsite to fix the problem,” says Brown.

“We travel from Yarmouth to Cape Breton — all over Nova Scotia — and with locations in P.E.I. and New Brunswick, you’re never far away from one of our dealerships in the Maritimes.”

Sales manager Darrell Morrell, who worked in the car industry before starting with Pine Acres four years ago, says this is a rewarding business to be in. “Everybody is happy when they’re buying an RV. When someone is buying a car, they have to have a car, but an RV is different — this is something they’re buying for fun. Our customers are campers … camping is what they love to do.”

And the camping season is already on the minds of many Nova Scotians. Compared to last year, where everyone — along with their RVs — was buried in snow and ice for the majority of spring, this season has been a busy one for Pine Acres.

50

ReFINEd HALIFAX

COVER FEATURE

The company began attending sports and RV shows in January and vehicles have been moving off the lot much earlier and steadier than past years. A long line of ‘sold’ RVs are ready to travel to new homes at the Pine Acres lot in Stewiacke.

ABOVE L-R Tracey Turpel and Andrew Brown

“As we move into our fourth season, it’s already busy,” says Joanne Isnor, who is responsible for accounts and human resources at Pine Acres. “We’re full out right now and looking forward to a busy season ahead.”

The Stewiake location has approximately 35 employees, most of which have been with the company since they opened, including Isnor.

“The entire staff meshes really well together. Andrew is awesome to work for.

He’s approachable from both a customer and a staff perspective,” she says. “Our customers are great too. We see a lot of repeat clients who come in to upgrade, or we see them when they come in for their service. Whether they’re young with families, middle age or retirees, everyone we see loves to camp — that keeps it interesting.”

Whether you’re a long-time, seasoned camper or considering buying your first RV, Brown welcomes you to check out Pine Acres RV.

ABOVE SALES TEAM L-R Matt Ryder, Steven Manley, Darrell Morrell and David Keith

Pine Acres RV Ltd. 16 Garden Gate Lane Stewiacke, N.S. 902.639.1509 80 Commerce St. Moncton, N.B. 506.388.5751 25 Phaeton Dr. Hampton, N.B. 506.832.5751 Route 2 Kensington, P.E.I. 877.966.2267 www.pineacresrv.com

COVER FEATURE

ReFINEd HALIFAX

51

ENJOY FUN-FILLED DAYS ON THE WATER

Let Mahone Marine bring your family the adventures that will last as cherished memories for a lifetime.

Zack and Jennifer Green and their team at Mahone Marine have everything you need for a summer of fun-filled days on the water with family and friends. The locally-owned business carries a wide selection of both new and previously-owned boats, including the popular dual console boats by Edgewater. These boats are great for both fishing and water sports, with spacious bow seating that kids will love.

Conveniently located only minutes from the boat ramp in Mahone Bay, between Highways 103 and 3. Mahone Marine has the products, services and expertise you need to help your family experience freedom and adventure out on the open water. In addition to stocking a wide range of boats and accessories, they service all makes and models of boats at their facility. They also offer onsite servicing seven days a week throughout the summer.

Mahone Marine | 7980 Highway 3, RR 2 | Mahone Bay, N.S. | 902.624.1800 | Toll free: 1.877.333.1159

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

MAKE A GOOD Tips for Securing IMPRESSION Your Dream Career

By Melanie Furlong

telling your story in the best possible way.

If you know a company’s dress code is business casual, don’t show up to your interview wearing a conservative dress or suit. You want to show the employer that you’re not only qualified to do the job, but that you can also fit in with the company culture. If you aren’t sure about a company’s dress code, email your interviewer or ask the person who called you to set up the interview. Make sure your clothes are neat and wrinkle-free.

G

etting a call for a job interview is the first hurdle. Once you’ve got that appointment, your foot is literally in the door. The management wants to meet you!

But in order to secure that coveted position, you need to convince the interviewer that you’re the best candidate for the job. According to Career Services at Princeton University there are several steps you should take to stand out from the rest.

First, research the organization. Visit their website, review their background and mission statement and assess their products, services and client base. Read their press releases or news stories about the company for insight on projected growth and stability. Then develop a question list to ask about the organization or position.

Prepare your responses to their potential questions. Most interviews involve a combination of resume-based, behavioural and case questions. Practice

54

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Don’t forget to bring along extra copies of your resume on quality paper for your interviewers, a notepad and pen and a list of references. Bring a portfolio with samples of your work and business cards.

When you arrive in the waiting room for your interview, remember that your behaviour may be reported. Project confidence by smiling, establishing eye contact and using a firm handshake. Sit up straight, yet comfortably. Don’t fidget, bite your nails or tap your feet.

During the interview, pay close attention to non-verbal communication. Maintain good eye contact, but don’t stare while responding to an interviewer’s questions.

Respect their space by not placing anything on their desk.

Finish off the interview with your own questions. Make sure you are not asking for information that can be found on the organization’s website or that you’ve previously clarified in the interview.

If you’ve done a lot of research, your specific questions may really impress an interview.

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

Some general questions worth asking at the end of your interview:

1

In your opinion, what makes this organization a great place to work?

2

What do you consider the most important criteria for success in this job?

3

How will my performance be evaluated?

4

What are the opportunities for advancement?

5

What are the next steps in the hiring process?

Don’t make these mistakes at your interview: Don’t assume they’ve researched you. And don’t be surprised if your interviewer pulls out your resume, cover letter, blog posts, or anything else attached to your name right there in your interview.

Bring your A-game and be ready to explain your personal brand at a moment’s notice.

Don’t assume your interview will take 30 minutes or even an hour. You never know what turn the interview is going to take and you may end up getting passed around to a few different people. Concentrating on the time you’ll spend in the interview is crucial to your success. The last thing you want is to be distracted knowing you have to run to another appointment while still in your first one.

We create spectacular.

Come chat with us.

(We have new chairs.)

jac.co

Are Proposed Changes to the Income Tax Act a

THREAT TO YOUR WEALTH?

By ReFINEd magazine staff Photos Bruce Jollimore

I

f you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, potential tax changes to Section 55 of the Income Tax Act may affect you. Let’s imagine you’re a dentist who has set up an operating company and a holding company in order to move retained earnings from the operating company by way of dividends that usually pass through tax free. These earnings were taxed at a low small business rate. You believe you have organized your financial life properly and done everything you can do to minimize taxation within CRA’s parameters.

You may not realize that the rules surrounding these parameters are about to change. Your financial well-being may be at risk.

Chris Ball, a senior financial planner with Assante Capital Management Ltd., says the tax changes, which were proposed by the Conservatives in the 2015 budget, didn’t come into law due

56

ReFINEd HALIFAX

to the election. However, the Department of Finance is expected to re-introduce the changes in the March 22, 2016 budget. They could be made retroactive to April 1, 2015.

The new changes mean that money moved from operating to holding companies, in order to keep your operating company pure, may become taxable if this inter-company dividend does not comply with the new proposed parameters of Section 55. This is something Ball and his colleagues consider to be very punitive.

While you may or may not be notified about such an important tax change by your accountant, an experienced financial planner should know about it and be able to raise a red flag to protect you and your money.

“We take a comprehensive approach with our clients’ business situations and look at the tax, legal, insurance, cash flow and

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

all the various financial aspects of their business,” says Ball. “We don’t replace the work your accountant or lawyer does, but we collaborate with them and are considered to be in the best position to coordinate all the professionals required to proactively implement strategies for our clients.”

Chris Ball

Robert-Yves Mazerolle

If necessary, Assante Wealth Management’s financial planners can call on their own team of wealth planners that includes tax lawyers, estate planners and accountants to help them assess client situations and identify strategies for their businesses. It’s all part of what a client receives when they place their investments and trust with Assante.

Senior financial planner with Assante Capital Management Ltd. RobertYves Mazerolle says, “We’re like the quarterback for your financial team. We execute your wealth plan based on the three pillars of Wealth Management: Disciplined Investment Management, Financial Planning and Personal

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

Relationship. We know our clients and their needs, what their business structure is and where it needs aid. We’re also making sure to follow your progress and look out for potential changes in the environment that might affect you.”

Will Section 55 tax changes affect you and your wealth? Talk to your financial planning professional and find out what you can do to mitigate their effect on you.

Assante Capital Management Ltd. 5548 Kaye Street, Suite 201 Halifax 902.466.4234 888.305.7526 assantehydrostone.com

ReFINEd HALIFAX

57

EA

EXPERT ADVICE

EXPERT ADVICE

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? My child is a multi-sport athlete and is getting good enough for extra attention and opportunities.

The costs are really starting to add up. How much is too much to spend on extra-curricular activities for your child?

T

his is a tough question and you are not alone in your dilemma. As with a lot of money issues, you are dealing with things that are more than just math. In today’s world of parenting, there seems to be a lot of pressure to have your children in multiple activities, to be engaged and to be supportive.

The emotional aspects of wanting your children to participate as far as their talents will take them, and to do the same things as their peer group, is high. You want them to have every opportunity to shine. You may feel judged by the parents of their friends if your children aren’t playing. Layer in expensive fees and this is where the decisions become more complex.

So how much is too much? This is an individual family question that should touch not only on your budget, but also on your family’s values, your goals for your children, how much unstructured time you would like them to have, and how you feel about some of the pressures outlined above. As to the cost, that is also

58

ReFINEd HALIFAX

individual. What exactly can your family afford and still maintain the lifestyle you enjoy without incurring debt and achieve your future freedom goals?

Here are some things that you can work through to assist in your decision-making.

want! Remember kids are often more resilient than we give them credit for, and that this is a process. Whatever you do, please avoid going into debt for your kids’ activities and let the guilt go.

First, determine the ideal amount you would like to spend. Try and do this in isolation from what you have already committed to. This is the ideal, the amount you will work toward.

Next, make a list of all the activities, by child, that they are currently involved in and what you think you are spending.

Now, the fun part, analyze what each activity actually costs and leave out nothing! One family I recently worked with thought they were spending around $2,000 on their son’s hockey. When we added up registration for winter and spring league, elite camp, equipment, tournament costs of hotels and travel it was actually more than $6,000. And that was just one activity.

Compare the numbers. If your funds are not unlimited, choices may have to be made.

Involve your child in the discussions as to the choices. Learning to make decisions like this is a part of life — as few people can have everything they

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

Wendy Brookhouse MBA, CCS, CHS CEO Black Star Wealth Partners T: 902.446.4661 F: 902.446.4662 M: 902.830.0533 wendy@blackstarwealth.com blackstarwealth.com

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY FEATURE

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL May 25 – 30 | 2016 East Coast To The Core – Celebrating Nova Scotia Schedule Opening Ceremony Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m.

Hantsport School Valley Tea Thursday, May 26 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Kingston Lions Club 89.3 K-Rock’s Valley Family Music Night Thursday, May 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Kentville Memorial Park Blossom Breakfast Friday, May 27 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Kentville Rec Centre Coronation Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m.

Acadia University U Hall, Wolfville 89-3 K-Rock’s 8th Birthday Bash featuring Bluesmobile!

Friday, May 27 from 8 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Kentville Memorial Park Fireworks Friday, May 27 Kentville Memorial Park Apple Blossom Festival of Crafts Saturday, May 28 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kingstec NSCC Campus in Kentville Children’s Parade Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m.

Kentville Bounce Kingdom Saturday, May 28 All Day Memorial Park & Centre Square

Nova Scotia Road-Crew supporting Paws Fur Thought Saturday, May 28 at 12:30 p.m.

Kentville Grand Street Parade Saturday, May 28 at 1p.m.

Kentville Blossom Brew Fest Saturday, May 28 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wolfville Farmer’s Market Blossom Blues Concert Featuring Charlie A’Court & Christine Campbell Saturday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Wolfville’s Al Whittle Theatre Family Fitness Fair Sunday, May 29 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

KCA Gymnasium Scotian Gold Family Fun Day Sunday, May 29 at 1 p.m.

Coldbrook Trail Flow MTB Race: Shredfest Enduro!

Sunday, May 29 – Race starts at 12 noon The Gorge, Kentville Northville Farm Antique Tractor Pull & Show Sunday, May 29 at 10 a.m.

Steadman Rd., Northville Meet The Royal Party Sunday, May 29 at 3:45 p.m.

Grand Pre Historic Park Blossom Festival Valley Tour Monday, May 30

Please visit appleblossom.com for schedule updates ReFINEd HALIFAX

59

This is your life…

make it beautiful

Locations in Locations in Kentville, Kentville and Greenwood Greenwood and Wolfville

At Light Touch Laser, we find the products and At Light we Touch we find thewith products services loveLaser, and share them you. and services we love and share them with you.

• Laser Hair Removal • Laser Hair Removal • Weight Loss • Weight Loss • Professional Lash Extensions • Professional Lash Extensions • Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup • Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup • Silkpeel Dermalinfusion Skin Treatment • Silkpeel Dermalinfusion Skin Treatment • EndyMed Skin Tightening • EndyMed Skin Tightening • Skincare • Skincare

Skin and Bodycare

Why Wouldn’t you!

902.678.2829 | 50 A Webster Street, Kentville 902.678.2829 | | 780 50 ACentral Webster Street,Greenwood Kentville 902.765.BODY Avenue, 902.765.BODY 902 697-2829 || 780 SuiteCentral 22-360Avenue, Main St,Greenwood Wolfville www.lighttouch.ca www.lighttouch.ca

“Just Good Food” KINGS ARMS PUB With 30 years of history behind it, The Kings

Arms Pub is a landmark in the Kentville community and Annapolis Valley.

With an emphasis on “Just Good Food,” owner Joey Murphy offers some of the best feel good meals you can find, which you can enjoy in a relaxed pub style environment or on the beautiful Victorian garden style patio.

Emphasizing meals that are completely made in-house (right down to the mayonnaise), The Kings Arms Pub should be high on your list of stops while exploring the Annapolis Valley!

Kings Arms Pub by Lew Murphy 390 Main St., Kentville | 902.678.0066 | www.kingsarmspub.ca

LADIES ON THE GREEN

By Lori McKay

of the city — making this the perfect destination for women to try their hand at the popular sport.

O

ne of Avon Valley Golf and Country Club’s objectives this season is to encourage more women to check out the game of golf. The club is offering numerous specials and incentives to make that happen.

Located in the picturesque Annapolis Valley, the course is only a 30-minute drive from the heart of Halifax. A beautiful 18-hole course, Avon Valley offers a refreshing break from the bustle

62

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Avon Valley was one of a handful of clubs to get involved with Metro Ladies Golf last year. Sara Wilson, a PGA of Canada golf professional, offers women lessons and then takes them to different clubs to play, including Avon Valley.

“We’re one of a half a dozen clubs that offers reduced rates to get ladies golfing,” says general manager Brad Corkum.

THE BUSINESS OF GOLF Corkum says they’ve been seeing more and more women become involved in golf over the years. Playing the game

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY FEATURE

is not only social and good for your health, but a business asset as well.

“A lot of companies host charity and corporate golf events and women are in management and sales roles too. They’re taking clients out and need to know the game.”

LADIES’ NIGHT Tuesday night is Ladies’ Night at Avon Valley. The course offers an evening for working women to attend with times blocked off just for them. “It’s partly competitive but mostly social,” says Corkum. “We’ve done this in the past and it’s always been successful. A lot of women stay after their game and enjoy our meal special with friends.”

“We’re a very friendly, public course with facilities that rival most private clubs.” – Brad Corkum, general manager

WINE & DINE Avon Valley offers a wine and dine special daily after 4 p.m. “Anyone can come, but we see a lot of couples on a date night,” says Corkum.

He says a lot of seniors will attend as well.

Guests don’t have to be a member. They get nine holes on a card and a meal. “It’s really nice when you see the clubhouse full of people. This was a dead time at our club before; now it’s a very busy time.”

FRIENDLY TEES The golf course added a set of friendly tees last year, which shortened the course and made it more player-friendly for new golfers. The friendly tees have their own special score card and NSGA rating.

“It was really well-received last year,” says Corkum. “We had a lot of rounds played off these new tees. It’s great if you have one person who has played a long time and wants to introduce their spouse or a friend to the game. It gives them a place to start the course where it’s not so frustrating and they can keep up with the regular flow of play.”

The friendly tees are also ideal for kids interested in trying the sport.

YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE COURSE The club also offers reduced rates for men and women under 30. People can play after 5 p.m., or take advantage of the course ‘twilight’ rate, with lower green fees and golf cart prices.

“We offer reduced rates because we know it’s hard for younger people to play,” says Corkum. “They often don’t have time for a long game, so we’re offering nine holes of golf. They can come out in the evenings and play a short game.”

Avon Valley also has 10-round passes for purchase, which can be divided into nine holes, and reduced rates after 12 p.m. seven days a week.

“It’s one of the better kept courses in the province,” says Corkum, who notes their main market is metro, followed by players from the Annapolis Valley and the South Shore. “When you come here you’ll be impressed by the quality of the course and facilities. The clubhouse and the gardens are beautiful, but it’s still a very laid back atmosphere. We’re a very friendly, public course with facilities that rival most private clubs.”

The course opens for the season in lateApril and runs until mid-November.

Es

t

71 19

AV O N VA L L E Y

BEAUTIFUL, FRIENDLY & ACCOMMODATING The course has changed a great deal since first opening in 1972. A beautiful new clubhouse was built nine years ago, offering guests a nice modern facility.

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY FEATURE

Avon Valley Golf and Country Club 595 Falmouth Back Road, Falmouth Office 902.798.4654 Pro Shop 902.798.2673 avonvalleygolf.com

ReFINEd HALIFAX

63

Bring Your Appetite!

Everyone Deserves a Meal This Good.

Photo by Jaime Harris

Randy Sanford, owner

Great food, great service, large portions and a fair price. Conveniently located in the heart of Berwick. · · · · ·

Wide selection of quality, home-cooked meals Known for their fantastic seafood and desserts Takeout service Gift cards available Private event room

229 Commercial St. Berwick 902.538.8393 www.driftwoodrestaurant.ca

Hours: Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Holidays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Relaxed atmosphere, tantalizing menu and friendly service provide an appetizing refuge in the heart of Wolfville.

PRIVET HOUSE: Unique international dishes Gluten free menu options Meals made from scratch Fresh daily specials Less than an hour from HRM Dine outside on the patio and enjoy the sights of beautiful Wolfville

Ask us about our takeout menu and catering!

Privet House Restaurant 406 Main St., Wolfville 902.542.7525

Rustic BBQ & Grill

“We bake here daily to ensure you the freshest product, and vary the selection around your favourites every day.”

· Premium quality and generous portions with a home-cooked, from-scratch flare · Enjoy takeout and the Annapolis Valley sights, or dine in and relax in the warm, cosy country setting · Famous for desserts · Wheelchair accessible ramp · High chairs and colouring books handy for kids Lisa’s Café 30 Water St., Windsor | 902.792.1986 lisascafe@ns.aliantzinc.ca | www.lisascafe.ca |

Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MURRAY PREMISES HOTEL

E

njoy the comfort you would expect from a modern designer hotel, with the history and charm you expect from the city of St. John’s.

Murray Premises Hotel is located in a National Historic Site on the St. John’s waterfront, with rooms radiating character through exposed 19th century wooden beams, contemporary furnishings and luxurious touches. Atmosphere is paired with a prime location: walking distance to restaurants, quaint shops, Mile One Centre and St. John’s Convention Centre. Modern comfort, uncompromised service and value lead travellers to choose Murray Premises Hotel as their accommodations... again and again.

CONTEMPORARY ROOMS IN AN HISTORIC SETTING. PERFECT FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE.

5 Beck’s Cove, St. John’s | Toll Free: 1.866.738.7773 | Local: 709.738.7773 info@murraypremiseshotel.com | www.murraypremiseshotel.com

Homes HALIFAX

STEP INTO THE FUTURE WITH LUXURY STAIRCASES FABULOUS DECKS ENHANCE YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE THE KITCHEN FIREPLACE AN OLD TREND REVISITED

SPECIAL HOME SECTION

ATLANTIC CANADA’S NATURAL STONE SHOWROOM Natural stone adds luxury and style to any home. If you’re considering a renovation or planning a building project, you’ll find plenty of inspiration at The Art of Stone.

SPECIALIZING IN: • Granite, Quartz, Marble and Onyx Countertops • Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles • Marble Artwork • Custom Cabinetry • Vanities • Sinks, Vessels and Faucets • Mirrors • Unique Stone Tables

FREE

IN-STORE ESTIMATES AND CONSULTATIONS

THE ART OF STONE 130 Chain Lake Drive, Halifax 902.406.7338 admin@theartofstonehalifax.com Like Us on Facebook: facebook.com/theartofstonehalifax

Open 7 days a week 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Heritage Home

WITH EAST COAST ECLECTIC STYLE

By Melanie Furlong Photos Bruce Jollimore

70

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

It’s easy to see why designer Heather Waugh Pitts’ Dartmouth home — with its unique eclectic style, history and character — has attracted the attention of magazines, newspapers and most recently a television show.

T

he juxtaposition of restored antiques and auction finds next to ultra-modern pieces and original artwork creates the feeling that Waugh Pitts has used her entire home as a canvas, each piece carefully chosen to reflect the style she and her husband, Tom Pitts, have honed over the years.

Twelve years ago, the Pitts heard that the home, formerly the location of a small private school, was going up for sale.

They visited the school to ask the owners to call them first.

Although some developers had also shown interest in the property, the owners were fond of the place and wanted to see it used as a home again. A price was named, a deposit put down and soon, the Pitts were moving in.

This beautiful and sturdy structure has provided Waugh Pitts with a gorgeous backdrop for her interior decor. The main floor, which features 10-foot ceilings and large grilled windows, creates an elegant setting for the living room, dining room and kitchen as well as a stylish foyer.

In the living room, iconic furniture pieces such as a 1940s Mies Van Der Rohe daybed and a French Empire sofa with lion’s feet at the front and back, are both covered with modern fabrics, lush bolsters and throw pillows. Waugh Pitts says she chose a grey wool by Ralph Lauren for the French Empire sofa she bought at an auction to give it an edgier feel, rather than use the floral upholstery it was probably first covered in.

Built in 1915, the home overlooks beautiful Lake Banook and is a fine example of Dartmouth's Georgian architecture.

Upon moving in, Waugh Pitts was anxious to restore it to its historic roots. It had fire doors, ceiling fans, fluorescent lights and other institutional features that had to go. “We took those things down,” says Waugh Pitts, “but we left the kids' initials that were carved into the back of the bathroom doors.”

Above the fireplace mantel you’ll find gold sconces from a Paris building, an elaborate nest mirror made with varying lengths of steel by iron sculptor Chris Joyce and a sculptural lamp made by a Tel Aviv artist who works only in lighting.

The floors, having been trod over by hundreds of children, were original and only needed to be refinished.

The sash and rope windows, mouldings, plaster, slate roof and exterior columns were also all originals and in fantastic condition.

“These were picked up by a friend out west who does lines and towers in that area,” she says. “I love the stitching in the animal skulls and the coloration in the bones.”

“The house was built using the lathe technique,” says Waugh Pitts, “but it was also made with steel beams and 12-inch concrete up to the eaves. This was rare for the time in which it was built.”

Nods to nature are found throughout the house, including birch trees in the art and fabrics, cowhide rugs and elk antlers, which are commonly found on Alberta’s Columbia Ice Fields.

As a child, Waugh Pitts idolized Dale Evans and had a complete cowgirl outfit. An original piece by local artist David Muir featuring a cap gun in the dining room, necklace made of shotgun shell casings by Brandt Eisner and a white pistol in the stairwell are a few items that lend boldness to the interior.

“I’ve always been able to visualize. When I’m working with clients, I want them, and other people, to come into the space and know who they are.”

– Heather Waugh Pitts

REFINED HOMES

ReFINEd HALIFAX

71

Crichton Ave. Built in 1915 by architect Richard Arthur Johnson for businessman Frederick Stevens Coombs, who was the owner of a building materials supply store on Lower Water Street It was made with concrete and steel beam construction and clad in brick from one of Coombs’ brick kilns R. A. Johnson also designed the Bedford Row Engine House, which is currently McKelvie’s Restaurant in Halifax Coombs was a Freemason, and many Masonic features are evident in the house, including its orientation to the east and the diamond patterns featured in some of the ceiling medallions The style of the house is Georgian and built symmetrical Coombs married Annie L. McNab from McNab’s Island in 1912 and she lived in the house until she was 101 years old The house had two more private owners before being turned into a private school in 1983 The property was home to Bridgeway Academy for 20 years Tom Pitts and Heather Waugh Pitts purchased the home in 2002 It maintains its original slate roof to this day

72

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

Waugh Pitts takes inspiration from many local and international artists and experiments with various art forms herself.

On shelves in one corner of the living room sit a collection of ceramic sculptures that she created herself at the open studio pottery program at The Findlay Centre. Many of her walls are decorated with large, dramatic art pieces she has painted in her upstairs studio, a cosy atelier overlooking the lake.

“I’ve always been able to visualize,” says Waugh Pitts. “When I’m working with clients, I want them, and other people, to come into the space and know who they are.”

Waugh Pitts’ interior and exterior design work over the last 20 years has included a wide variety of client projects such as private homes, resorts, cathedrals, private communities and doctors’ clinics. While the artistic design work throughout the house can be attributed to her, Tom, a consultant at the Dartmouth Refinery, has lent valuable renovation skills and many man-hours to their project. He learned a lot along the way as the couple designed and built three houses from the ground up in their first 10 years together. Current projects at home include renovations in the main bathroom Heather Waugh Pitts

REFINED HOMES

ReFINEd HALIFAX

73

74

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

and master bedroom, as well as the top floor of the home.

The excitement of tackling an older property and bringing it back to its former glory — or beyond — has caught on in the Pitts family. All three of their adult children have restored older homes with their parents’ expert help. These include an 1899 farmhouse in Sackville, N.B.,

a Scottish castle-influenced house in Dartmouth and a 1940 Arts and Crafts style home in Newfoundland. The Pitts also have a 1930s cottage in Shediac, N.B., which they are still working on.

Waugh Pitts’ home was showcased on the W Network’s Real Houses Of...the East Coast along with homes from South Hampton, Brooklyn and Lunenburg.

*Flowers courtesy of Atlantic Gardens & Greenery Florist

REFINED HOMES

ReFINEd HALIFAX

75

FALL IN LOVE

WITH YOUR SPACE AGAIN

By Melanie Furlong Photos Bruce Jollimore

If you want to use your home’s space as effectively and efficiently as possible, having cabinetry or shelving custom built is key.

W

hile some companies build standard size boxes for their cabinetry, Portland Custom Millwork builds it specifically to fit your space.

“Our cabinetry and shelving will look and fit better in your home,” says owner Dana Wright. “We are not just pushing boxes onto your walls.”

The secret to Portland Custom Millwork’s advantage is really no secret at all. They have their own Dartmouth-based millwork shop where they build all their own cabinetwork, shelves, vanities and more. They also do the general contracting for their projects, coordinating everything for their clients.

76

ReFINEd HALIFAX

“Often times, a general contractor doesn’t know when the kitchen for a job is going to be ready,” says Wright. “The benefit I have is that we’re working with our own millwork shop and things get done with less issues because we’re a one-stop shop.”

Portland Custom Millwork works with a number of trusted subcontractors, electricians, plumbers and flooring professionals who understand Wright’s philosophy.

Wright, who’s a geologist by training, started his career cleaning up contaminated sites. Soon he was doing project management for property developments. Three-and-a-half years ago, a millwork company he was using came up for sale and he bought

REFINED HOMES

“Working with us, you cut out any middleman and we look after everything from beginning to end.”

– Dana Wright

it as an asset. Wright changed the name and the direction of the company, focusing on residential projects.

projects that keep us all interested,” he says. “I don’t want to do condo kitchens that are all the same.”

Have a look at the sleek and modern interiors here on the pages of ReFINEd Magazine, or those featured on Portland Custom Millwork’s website, and you will get a feel for Wright’s modern design sensibility. He and his team do a wide variety of work from classic to modern, but their favourite jobs are the challenging ones. “We enjoy working on

Most importantly, he wants his clients to absolutely fall in love with the final product. “We want to give our clients good quality, good value and they must love their bathroom, kitchen, closet or whatever it is we’re working on.

We’re going to stay with it until they’re totally satisfied.”

REFINED HOMES

ReFINEd HALIFAX

77

Getting started with Portland Custom Millwork means having a meeting at the client’s home to see what they want.

Then Wright returns with one of his designers to get the measurements on the space and further discuss the plans.

The designer draws up a 3D rendering for the client and from there the plan is finetuned and priced to fit the budget.

“Coordination is easy in theory, but often plays out differently,” says Wright.

“Working with us, you cut out any

middleman and we look after everything from beginning to end.”

www.pcmltd.ca

Let Portland Custom Millwork build a space that reflects your personality and design aesthetic. Call them for a consultation on your next project.

Portland Custom Millwork 101 Thornhill Dr. , Suite 103 Dartmouth 902.405.4660 info@pcmltd.ca Dana Wright

78

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

GivinG Our Past a Future Established in 1994, Award Winning Forbes Restoration has been involved in numerous restoration and rehabilitation projects in north end and peninsula Halifax, and has contributed design and fabrication services to projects throughout Eastern Canada.

The company provides three distinct services:

Design • Fabrication • Installation ¨ Restoration specialist

¨ Colour consultation

¨ Manufacturing of Victorian millwork

¨ Bookcases

¨ Exterior Designer

¨ Fireplaces

Contact us to discuss how Forbes Restoration can make your restoration or rehabilitation project a success.

Forbes Restoration: Celebrating 20 Years in Business 902.830.6667 | halforbes@hfx.eastlink.ca | www.halforbes.ca |

/forbesrestoration

Take Your Cabinets from Outdated tO Outstanding

By Melanie Furlong

T

he kitchen is the heart of your home, the place where you gather most often with family and entertain friends. If making it both beautiful and functional is important to you, refacing your cabinetry is a cost-effective way to take your kitchen’s look from outdated to outstanding.

80

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Dartmouth’s Cabinetworks Ltd. has been refacing cabinetry and creating custom kitchens since 1983. In fact, owner Glen MacDonald began his business by specializing in refacing cabinetry. Over the years, he has experimented with various techniques and methods and developed some of his own.

REFINED HOMES

“We’re constantly looking for new materials to use,” says MacDonald.

“Recently, we’ve come up with some new ways of doing things. One is with a new material called Medina TFM. It has a wood grain effect and melamine door. It’s very tough and durable and is available in attractive, textured finishes.”

No matter what look you’re after, Cabinetworks can customize your cabinets to meet your preferences and tastes. They offer a wide selection of finishes and options: many door styles, wood species, solid colours and stains.

CabineTworks’ Fun Facts: • Surplus materials or cabinet components that do not meet their manufacturing standards are donated to Habitat for Humanity.

After visiting your home and determining the method of refacing that would work best for your kitchen, detailed measurements are taken. Then, to help you decide on materials, staff will go over the plans with you in their extensive showroom.

Cabinetworks will help you choose colours, handles or knobs and accessories to give your kitchen the look and function you want. If you want to replace your countertop, Cabinetworks has displays of Granite, Quartz, Corian and laminate from which to choose the perfect complement to your fresh, new cabinets.

Once your decisions are made, they will schedule the work, which can take from two to five days to complete.

Cabinetworks’ staff will prepare the cabinets and apply new panels or veneers to your old framework. Matching doors

• Cabinets and doors are made from Maritime-sourced materials.

L-R norm Patey, nina boulanger, Michael Garden and Glen MacDonald

• Cabinetworks takes on apprentice program students because they believe in local talent!

in Thermofoil, Medina TFM, painted MDF or stained wood will complete the project. Your kitchen will be transformed!

To find out more about Cabinetworks and their budget-friendly ways of revamping kitchens, visit their showroom in Burnside.

REFINED HOMES

Cabinetworks Ltd. 75 Akerley Blvd.

Dartmouth, N.S. 902.468.8118 www.cabinetworks.ca

ReFINEd HALIFAX

81

STEP INTO THE

FUTURE Luxury Staircases

By Trina Annand

82

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

as consider where it is in the home. “A staircase’s position in the home will often dictate what type of structure is created.

Bold sculptural elements tend to need more space,” says Douglas.

Technological and material manufacturing advances have also had an impact on the humble staircase. “Many people are opting for the dynamic tension created by stair treads and rails that seem to float in a space,” says Douglas. “This look is often attained through the use of steel and glass.”

Steel is being used more and more in staircase design because of its ability to provide strength while minimally imposing on a space. Steel can support in more thin dimensions than most materials, acting as the central spine of a staircase. Douglas himself has completed several projects where stair stringers seemingly float away from a wall or hover in mid-air with steel. Glass allows homeowners to have an open and airy feeling while still maintaining a safe environment. Handrails are a necessity for safety, but there is nothing saying they have to be heavy or obtrusive.

Safety is always an important part of stair design, regardless of the space.

There are two different types of safety concerns with staircases, building codes and the personal feeling of safety. Many people love the look of an open stringer and riser-free staircase where the steps seem to hover in space, but the look can induce a certain amount of trepidation.

Douglas notes this fear can be alleviated by creating a thicker tread, thus reducing the gap.

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE BY Douglas Design Studio

M

ore than simply a way to move from one level to another, the residential staircase has embraced luxury and design like never before.

Whether maximizing storage and functionality in a small space or providing a striking sculptural form, the modern staircase takes many shapes.

“Over the last two decades, stairs have moved from being a functional element to a freestanding sculptural feature. People

see more value in staircases now; they no longer blend into the background,” says interior designer Jeffrey Douglas. Open concept living has moved staircases from the background of a space to the starring role in the home. Creating large open spaces means in most cases there is no wall for the stairs to hide behind.

Douglas notes when creating a bold stairway it is important to support the structure with equally bold elements such as a dramatic fireplace or art, as well

REFINED HOMES

“Feeling safe is a very important part of feeling at home. Many people prefer carpeted stairs, but it is important to have similar textures on landings too.

That shift underfoot can result in the slip factor,” says Douglas. There are usually concerns with homeowners about young children and stairs, but it is still possible to achieve a striking look while still embracing family life.

Whether renovating or building a completely new home, there are a plethora of choices and stairs often get forgotten in the shuffle. The modern staircase is a unique combination of wood, metal and glass expressing a homeowner’s personal sense of style.

ReFINEd HALIFAX

83

Add Value and Beauty to Your Home with an Addition or Renovation

I

n our current buyers’ real estate market, many homeowners are opting to renovate or build additions to get the house of their dreams.

Whether they’re renovating bathrooms, converting attics into lofts or adding floors or rooms to existing homes, J.L. Clements Construction Ltd. brings valuable experience, clear communication and professionalism to every job.

If you’re considering a renovation, owner Shane Clements will first meet with you

84

ReFINEd HALIFAX

By Melanie Furlong

to discuss the project, create a scope of work and provide a free estimate.

Clements easily builds a rapport with clients and makes a priority of keeping the lines of communication open throughout the process.

If you are considering a home addition, his draftsmen will measure the existing structure and create the necessary blueprints. Homeowners will have another meeting with Clements to review the blueprints and discuss how the new

REFINED HOMES

build or structure will be incorporated into the existing structure, what material will be used and other details will be decided. From interior designers to finish carpenters, J.L. Clements Construction has some of the best professionals in the business lined up to consult and work with them.

Clements has done countless residential additions and renovations since opening the company 10 years ago. “Customer satisfaction is the No. 1 objective of every

Shane Clements

job we do,” says Clements. “Communication is key and our clients have quick access to myself and the office personnel at any time throughout their project. All of the crew are friendly and knowledgeable, and our customers usually develop a rapport with them as well.

Many of our customers contact us again when they are ready to do their next project because of the positive experience they had the first time around.”

Homeowner Harry MacDonald has had three bathrooms renovated by Clements Construction. “We are very happy with the results and are also planning some future projects with Clements, including a kitchen upgrade and a fireplace surround,” writes MacDonald on TrustedPros.ca. “We have found Shane’s advice and help in design matters to be valuable and he has helped us to choose fixtures and other items. The tradesmen have all been experienced and competent and were able to react quickly to the inevitable surprises that arise in renovation work. One area that is impressive is the emphasis on cleanliness.

The team curtains off areas where demolition or other dust-creating work is being done, refuse is trucked away daily and work areas are vacuumed. We also appreciated the daily emails which advised us of work planned for following days.”

One thing Clements and his staff hear all the time is that they do beautiful finishes on their work. “We have a keen sense of how things should look,” says Clements. “We pay attention to the fine details involved in trim work and door installation, for example. These are things that set us apart.”

Find out how J.L. Clements Construction can add value and beauty to your home! Call them now to book your consultation.

J.L. Clements Construction Ltd. 902.406.4778 jlclements@eastlink.ca jlclements.com

REFINED HOMES

ReFINEd HALIFAX

85

Firing Up Your Kitchen

By Trina Annand

86

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

Various types of fireplaces have been used for cooking for thousands of years. As technology advanced and stovetop cooking became the norm, the fireplace was moved out of the kitchen and relegated to the status of decorative feature. Regardless of location, the fireplace is typically considered the heart of the home, and it’s regaining its “kitchen position” as a 2016 home trend.

F

rom traditional to ultra modern, fireplace styles are as varied as their owners. Foodies and epicureans are using the kitchen fireplace to great effect — as a rustic grill, a wood fired pizza oven and even an emergency-cooking source when the power goes out. Cooking in a more traditional way is sure to capture the interest of family members young and old, encouraging more family cooking.

Nothing adds flavour to food quite like slowly cooking it over a wood fire; it’s what the barbecue and grilling movements are all about.

If cooking on a wood-burning fireplace doesn’t send your heart racing, and a kitchen fireplace is more about adding ambiance, gas fireplaces are a perfect mess-free option. Burning cleaner and more efficiently than their wood-burning counterparts, gas fireplaces can be found in a variety of models, even providing vent free options, while still providing warmth to a room. If a renovation to add a gas line seems like too much work, electric fireplaces have made great strides in realism and can instantly boost the feel of a room.

With modern, open-concept living spaces, a kitchen fireplace can swiftly become the focal point of a home and be visible from many rooms. Fireplaces are best suited for larger areas, but are created in a variety of sizes and can even be wall mounted or placed at counter height to save space. Centuries ago, fireplaces were so large you walked inside them to cook. Thankfully, modern technology has advanced and homeowners no longer need a luxurious chateau to enjoy fireplace cooking for themselves.

Fireplace cooking tips: Use fruit wood. Fruit wood provides a subtle flavour to food. Avoid pine, which is too smoky for indoor use.

Fireplace cooking isn’t just for meat.

Many vegetables, such as eggplant and squash, can be roasted right on the embers for a robust flavour.

Avoid fatty foods. The grease from meat, such as chicken or rib eye steaks, will create a lot of smoke, leading to a less pleasant grilling experience. When cooking these on a fireplace, make sure you use a roaster or Dutch oven to contain the grease and avoid flare ups.

Take advantage of each fire. After taking the time to build a fire, cook as much as you can in the embers. Use your fireplace to prepare your side dishes, dessert, and maybe even a little something for the next day.

Remember to clean up! Food smells can linger, so don’t leave embers sitting in the fireplace for days.

ReFINEd HALIFAX

87

Give Your Landscape a

FRESH NEW LOOK

By Melanie Furlong Photos Bruce Jollimore

E

ven if the snow in your garden hasn’t completely melted, everything is about to turn green.

Now is the time for homeowners to clean off their decks, remove the burlap from their shrubs and start planning for the spring season.

As soon as you’ve decided what you’d like to see in your landscape — whether that’s a putting green, a new retaining wall, arbour or pergola — you should start calling professionals for quotes.

Matt Eisener, owner of Xcel Landscaping, says once they hit the month of May,

88

ReFINEd HALIFAX

they’re booking projects four to six weeks in advance.

His company has been revamping landscapes for HRM homeowners for the last 10 years. Several of his largescale projects have been phased over multiple years. “We go back to various jobs year after year to do another portion or small part of the work,” says Eisener.

“It’s fantastic to see our clients enjoying the landscape we’ve provided them and to know that they have their friends over to enjoy it. Many of those friends are referred to us as well.”

REFINED HOMES

Xcel Landscaping is a full-service, locally owned and operated business that gives clients creative landscaping, maintenance and installation solutions.

Eisener is committed to providing highquality products and peace of mind, partnering with only the most trusted and reputable suppliers. Xcel Landscaping does everything from installing new turf, providing excavation and drainage solutions, building fences, decks, stone patios and much more.

The company will also build new gardens or flowerbeds with premium plants and shrubs, planted in clean and

well as a smaller wall down the side of her driveway. “I received estimates from several businesses in my area and Xcel provided me with a very competitive price,” he writes on the Better Business Bureau website. “From the first day I met the owner, everything went smoothly. He and his staff are friendly and professional.

They even swept the dust off the street at the end of everyday. The work they did exceeded our expectations and I would not hesitate to call Xcel for any of our future projects.”

Matt Eisener

unique designs. All of their work can be beautifully lit with landscape lighting.

After coming to your home to see the potential worksite and learning about your budget and needs, Xcel Landscaping staff will collaborate on your ideas and prepare an affordable, custom quote for you.

Homeowner Shannon C. wanted to install a stone retaining wall in his backyard as

REFINED HOMES

Xcel Landscaping is a member of the Nova Scotia Landscaping Association and is certified with the Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association, which is dedicated to the highest standards of safety, quality and workmanship. Call today for your free estimate.

Xcel Landscaping www.xcellandscaping.com 902.880.9779

ReFINEd HALIFAX

89

90

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

All

Decked

OUT

By Apolline Lucyk

Imagine entertaining friends and family on your deck this summer. Whether it’s morning, afternoon or evening, you’re ready to handle a few or a crowd. Maybe you want to simply soak up the sun with a good book or enjoy an enchanting quiet evening in the complete privacy of your space

D

ecks have become desirable outdoor living spaces, thanks to new design and construction trends — and many other optional extras. Larger decks provide more space for patio furniture and expanded living spaces, often including lounging areas, dining and kitchen areas, bars and fire pits. Gazebos and partial roofs are also popular additions.

Beautiful Railing Options Deck railing options continue to increase.

Wide and narrow picket railings remain as popular as ever, and are available in a wide variety of colours. Gate options are especially nice for people with young children or pets.

Topless railings are a beautiful addition, especially at a cottage or beach house.

These railings are usually made from clear glass, so it appears as if there is no railing at all, yet people are still safe from falling if the deck is elevated.

REFINED HOMES

Wind Walls Wind walls are also a popular addition.

Wind walls are six-foot-high glass panels that block out the wind and separate your deck from your neighbours’ yard.

The glass panels are usually made from privacy glass, a clouded glass that lets the light through while maintaining privacy.

Glass panels come in different patterns and are also available in aluminum.

Gazebos and Partial Roofs Gazebos and other partially covered structures offer welcome shade on hot summer days, protection from rain and drizzle, and can also help retain heat in the winter. They provide relaxed lounging space with room for chairs or tables underneath; if equipped with a goodquality heater or safe fire pit in the winter, you can be cosy in your backyard all year long. Equipping your deck with a partial roof, pergola, gazebo or an umbrella will come in handy on sunny days, in

ReFINEd HALIFAX

91

unexpected rain or drizzle, and for your backyard retreat in winter months.

Built-in Seating and Tables Many decks now incorporate built-in bench options — including benches that are attached to the railing — and built-in eating areas. Also popular are tables that fit on to your railings, which can be flipped down when you aren’t using them.

Popular Flooring Materials Composite wood and vinyl are popular flooring material for decks because they require no maintenance. Wooden decks need to be stained periodically, but when you choose a composite wood or vinyl deck, the only maintenance required is occasionally sweeping away dust and dirt.

Composite wood and vinyl decks come in a variety of different colours, many which resemble real wood.

Fire Pits and Fireplaces Why not incorporate a fireplace or fire pit into your deck? A variety of models exist that can fit perfectly into your deck design. It is wise to have this heat source so you can enjoy relaxed evenings with family and friends in your outdoor space. A fire pit, fireplace or even pizza oven can become the focal point of many an outdoor evening of lounging and entertaining.

Lighting, Hot Tubs and More Lighting is essential to any outdoor space.

Disburse lighting options around your deck and add lighting options to areas that require it — for example, near an outdoor kitchen. LED lighting is popular for yearround enjoyment. A hot tub provides a relaxing escape from the business of the home, and locating it on or beside your deck makes for easy access. Fountains also bring a soothing and elegant atmosphere to your deck and backyard. Both fountains and hot tubs can add enchanting lighting options.

The options for modern decks are endless.

Let your imagination run wild as you get “all decked out” for summer and the year ahead!

92

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

FRAMING | DECKS | GARAGES

When Thinking About Building a Deck, Think Blue Ridge Builders Specializing in Custom-Built Decks, Garages and Home Framing

For your FREE estimate, call Blue Ridge Builders Inc. at 902.209.9418

70 Karels Drive Fall River 902.209.9418 blueridgebuilders.ca

15 years experience

A Turnkey Approach to Remodeling

By Melanie Furlong

W

hen you call on CASE Design/Remodeling to do your home project, you won’t have to call anyone else. Their turnkey approach differentiates them from others in the industry as they offer all the services you need under one roof. Staff at CASE Design/Remodeling includes an in-house architect, designers, construction and project managers as well as certified aging-in-place specialists.

CASE Design/Remodeling does remodeling and renovations to kitchens, bathrooms, whole houses and additions.

“The depth of our experience and the formal process that we use throughout the design, material selections and

construction sets us apart,” says owner Maurice Meagher. “It’s led to us receiving an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.”

Their process includes offering valueadded fixed price contracts and a streamlined communication system that keeps everyone on their team up-to-date with current projects.

Call them today to get started on your next home project!

Case/Design Remodeling 6070 Almon St., Suite 101 Halifax 902.454.2273 halifax@caseremodeling.com casehalifax.com Maurice Meagher

94

ReFINEd HALIFAX

REFINED HOMES

Builder’s Expertise Brings Home Awards

By Melanie Furlong

P

lanning to re-vamp your outdoor living space this summer? From decks and screened porches to patios, outdoor lighting, shade structures and more, Archadeck has both the experience and expertise to help you create the setting you want at home.

Working with wood, stone and manufactured materials, Archadeck has done a wide variety of projects in the 15 years they’ve been in business. The company has recently won a Peak Award from the Nova Scotia Homebuilders’ Association for Best Exterior Project; a Consumer Choice Award in the deck and patio builder category; and Best of Houzz 2016 in the design category for this region.

This Archadeck franchise also won Best Performing Office and Best Design of the Year in their organization. “We’re proud to have had so much success,” says owner Maurice Meagher.

“We have a busy season ahead and encourage homeowners to book their projects now.”

Archadeck of Nova Scotia 6070 Almon St., Suite 112 Halifax 902.444.DECK novascotia@archadeck.net novascotia.archadeck.com

REFINED HOMES

ReFINEd HALIFAX

95

A ROOFER WHO’S for Any Job

UP

By Melanie Furlong Photos Bruce Jollimore

E

ric Milledge’s English Tudor home in St. Margaret’s Bay is unusual for the area. And its roof is definitely unique. The rolling lines have no eaves or down spouts and feature 16 charming dormers. Finding a professional roofer to replace it with quality work was proving a challenge for Milledge until a friend in the construction business referred him to Mader’s Roofing.

“He said he only knew of one person in Nova Scotia he had confidence in for doing a quality job on our very unique roof design,” says Milledge. “That was Larry Mader.”

96

ReFINEd HALIFAX

Mader’s Roofing put a new 50-year roof on the home and brought it up to modern day installation specs. It was one of the largest, steepest and most complicated roofs Mader has ever worked on. The impressive finished product was recognized by roofing engineers as a truly unique feat.

Mader’s Roofing also removed and replaced two chimneys, using beautiful cultured stone and fireplaces, and installed two Vermont Casting wooden stoves. They built a spectacular 200foot wooden walkway, featuring electrical down lighting, through the

REFINED HOMES

woods to the boat dock. Milledge was extremely satisfied with the outcome.

Mader works hard to stay on top of the latest techniques, products and technologies so he’s prepared to tackle any job. “We’re not simply a re-roofing company,” he says. “We know there are always new technologies and materials that can be used to improve the longevity of the roofs we work on and customers will benefit from our knowledge.”

He was recently chosen to represent Atlantic Canadian roofers by Beacon

Larry Mader

Roofing in Dallas. The round-table meeting and informative seminars brought Mader up to speed on a variety of industry updates.

This winter, Mader’s Roofing worked on many roofs that failed due to improper installations or use of incorrect materials. He even saw roofs that were only four or five years old fail and have to be re-done. Mader says a good roof should last 25 years — and will if he does it.

“In my opinion,” says Milledge, “Larry Mader is the consummate professional.

“We put into your roof what your roof needs, given the pitch, ventilation systems or area that the roof is in. Our price structure is based on that. We don’t simply re-skin a roof to make it look good.”

– Larry Mader

REFINED HOMES

He and his people at Mader’s Roofing do quality work and stand by it. Larry has become a very close and trusted friend and I think it is somewhat rare for someone you have hired to do a major project on your home to become a very dear friend. To me it speaks to not only the quality of his work but the integrity of the man.”

Mader’s Roofing Lower Sackville, NS 902.492.2868 902.830.4236 info@madersroofing.com www.madersroofing.com

ReFINEd HALIFAX

97

PAVING THE WAY

TIP

Never give a deposit to a stranger. “Deals” are often a result of poor quality & workmanship.

A Concrete Reputation For More Than 20 Years

DCT Paving and Concrete has acquired a strong reputation by providing quality workmanship and service.

• • • •

Residential and commercial properties Asphalt and concrete Commercial snow removal and salting during the winter months Customers only pay when job is completed

Visit www.dctpaving.com for a list of satisfied clients throughout Nova Scotia.

Contact Dave Trudel, owner, for a free estimate!

902.499.7017 | www.dctpaving.com Fully insured WCB member Bookings: April–September. Book early to ensure your driveway and/or commercial project is completed this season.

at Home

with a little help from Holland Home Leisure!

We have been helping people vacation at home for decades ... and if you haven’t tried it yet, now is the time to start!

Building your own oasis, however big or small it may be, starts with a visit to Holland Home Leisure.

It used to be young families primarily interested in adding a backyard pool, but the trend has shifted to a more mature demographic. People are buying pools for a healthy retirement lifestyle, with the added benefit of a retreat for the grandchildren.

A pool has maintained its ability to bring families together, creating memories that last a lifetime. “Watch me dive,” “Count how long I can stay underwater,” and “Let’s do handstands,” are words from a child — young or old — that have lasted generations!

96"

30"

Holland Home Leisure P O O L S

•

H O T

T U B S

•

B A C K YA R D

L I V I N G

item-1A-Holland-30x96 8794 Commercial Street, New Minas, N.S. | 902.681.3030 mark@hollandhomeleisure.com | www.hollandhomeleisure.com

We make your property worth it!

PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING SERVICES FROM THE GROUND UP. Call today (902) 880-9779 xcellandscaping

@xcellandscape

www.xcellandscaping.com www.houzz.com/pro/xcellandscaping1