INSIDE
4 HOME FRONT
A Greeting from the Publisher
7 FROM HOUSE TO HOME Storybook Hideaway
~ Photo Jenna Rutherford
13
TUDOR REVIVAL
A Classic Style with a Modern Twist
~ Photo Scott Prokop
25 ENERGY SAVINGS MAKEOVER Tools to Get You Started
TUDOR
REVIVAL PAGE 13
33
HOMETOWN REFLECTIONS
Saskatoon and the Great Depression
~ Photo: Broadway Bridge construction, 1932. City of Saskatoon Archives - 1104-003-045
When a Calgarian family moved to an established Saskatoon neighbourhood, they wanted to blend in to the community in a beautiful way.
~ Photo Scott Prokop
~ Photo Maureen Haddock ON
43 MAUREEN’S KITCHEN
A Treat to Intrigue You
HOME FRONT
As the landscape turns to yellows and golds, and crisp Autumn air begins its descent over our beautiful city, I’m delighted to welcome you to the Fall Issue of Saskatoon HOME magazine. Our sunny, carefree—and sometimes smoky—days at the lake have come to an end and it’s time to get the kids back to school. As we herald the changing of the season, is that already just a hint of chill I feel?
In this issue, with those kiddos in mind, we explore an underutilized spot in the home. By reclaiming this unlikely place, we give them some extra space to call their own. Even Harry Potter would enjoy this set up! Our cover story takes you through the decisions behind a new Modern Tudor in an established neighbourhood. This home is sure to get your oohs and ahhs going. Enjoy our resident archivist’s look back at the Great Depression. Fancy Fall comfort food? Gather the ingredients to make our foodie’s delicious pastry tart recipe. And if smoky summers inspire you to do your part to fight climate change, we’ll show you where to begin to make a difference. Examining your own home’s energy efficiency is a great place to start. We’ll show you some simple tools the City offers to make you a more informed homeowner. And you may end up with more palatable energy bills.
So enjoy our magazine, savour our brief but glorious urban Autumn, and Happy Reading!
Amanda Soulodre
OWNER & PUBLISHER
Issue 67, Fall 2024
ISSN 1916-2324
info@saskatoon-home.ca
Publishers
Amanda Soulodre
Rob Soulodre
Editor
Karin Melberg Schwier
Contributors
Jeff O’Brien
Jenna Rutherford
Julie Barnes
Karin Melberg Schwier
Maureen Haddock
Scott Prokop
Receive every issue of HOME right in your mailbox for $20/year by subscribing at www.gethomemagazine.ca
The booking deadline for advertising in the Winter 2024 issue is October 18, 2024 Contact Amanda for more information. Email: amanda@saskatoon-home.ca Phone: 306-373-1833 Text: 306-717-0663
Saskatoon HOME is printed four times a year. Subscribe to receive every issue direct to your mailbox for $20/year. Visit www.gethomemagazine.ca
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Saskatoon HOME is published by: Farmhouse Communications
Telephone: 306-373-1833 info@saskatoon-home.ca www.saskatoon-home.ca
No part of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. Publications Mail Agreement # 41856031
WINNIPEG
1680 Notre Dame Ave Unit #9, Winnipeg, MB R3H 1H6 I Office: 204 783 5555 I Hotline: +1 (306) 717-2317
Email: sales.winnipeg@vicostone.ca
CALGARY
Showroom & Distribution Center Unit 185 - 8610 36 ST NE, Calgary, AB T3J 2E1 Office: 587 467 1177
– Fundholders Marg and Don Ravis
When Sam Kirkpatrick and her husband Josh decided to turn an unused space under their basement stairs into a play area for their kids, they knew exactly who to turn to. Their friend Jenna Rutherford had recently
FROM HOUSE TO HOME
BY: JULIE BARNES
Storybook Hideaway
sold her family house in Evergreen, which she had meticulously renovated room by room.
Jenna was in the midst of planning her new family home on an acreage outside Saskatoon, and it was
perfect timing for her to take on a small scale—yet detailed—design project.
“Jenna had lots of ideas for the space, and she told me to look for things on Pinterest,” says Sam. Jenna did the same—saving some
of her own ideas for the project to share with Sam.
“When we came back together, we had both saved very similar ideas, and some of the exact same things,” says Sam. “Jenna also had some additional ideas
PHOTOS: JENNA RUTHERFORD
Before During
Jenna installed a whimsical woodland print wallpaper on the sloped ceiling at the entrance to the reading nook. The climbing wall (at left) is the oldest child’s favourite feature.
we hadn’t considered—like the climbing wall.”
Igniting the Spark
The overall vibe they were hoping to achieve was “something cosy and relaxing but also a space that holds some mystery and wonder to spark creativity,” says Jenna.
Now referred to as “the reading nook,” the revamped L-shaped space is every kid’s dream—a snug, quiet hideaway where they can use their imagination or simply curl up with a book.
Kitted out with whimsical wallpaper, a back-lit peg board, book shelves, comfy floor cushions, a desk and the aforementioned climbing wall, Sam says her kids love to colour, draw and “just play adventure and imagination games under there.”
Aside from the fresh coat of paint and wallpaper she applied, Jenna says the other elements in the design—like the peg board and climbing wall—were firsts for her and allowed her to put her carpentry skills to the test.
Accustomed to working on her own home, Jenna says the main challenge was “working in someone else’s home rather than my own space, where I felt less pressure to get something finished in a timely manner.”
She had her own schedule to manage as a mother of three, and had to time her work trips carefully, noting that “kids’ bedtimes and noise don’t always work well together.”
Be Ready
She also had to come prepared.
“Unlike in my home
projects, the tools weren’t just a short walk to my garage when I needed them. I had to thoroughly plan what tools and supplies I needed for the project and have them on site daily.”
Working for friends was fun, but also intimidating at times, says Jenna.
“There’s an added feeling of pressure to perform because this wasn’t just my house anymore. This was a friend’s house and I felt that my skills were now on display for them and their family and friends.”
She needn’t have worried.
“She really nailed it,” says Sam. “We actually had some long-time carpenters over, and they were super impressed with her work. I don’t know as much about carpentry, but her work seemed like good quality to me. To hear how impressed they were was cool.”
One of the carpenters recognized Jenna from her previous DIY projects featured in Saskatoon HOME, and shared that he was “amazed by what Jenna could do in as little as four years” of home renovating experience.
In Timely Fashion
From start to finish, the project took Jenna three weeks to complete. She looks back on the project with a sense of satisfaction.
“I get to dream up and design, create and build spaces that are functional for others. It fills my cup,” she says.
And one of the best parts about creating this cosy hideaway?
Jenna says, “learning how to be a kid again and seeing things from their perspective.”
Before
As Sam and Josh’s kids checked in on her progress throughout the project, Jenna loved observing their reactions.
“To see their faces just light up in excitement was special,” she says. “Hearing their ‘whoas’ and ‘wows’ just reminded me that as adults, we forget to just pause and dream and see the world with so much wonder.”
Julie Barnes
Making use of every square inch, Jenna designed a built-in desk for a small recessed space under the stairs.
Jenna crafted a custom back-lit peg board to corral the kids’ art supplies and toys.
511-45th
Photos: All Square Developments
BY: KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER
TUDOR REVIVAL
A Classic Style with a Modern Twist
Nothing suggests traditional English design quite like the Tudor style of home with its steeply pitched and varying rooflines, front gables, asymmetrical masses of mixed materials, tall glazing
and recessed front entry with rounded archway. Add to that a touch of modern dramatic flair, and the result is an intriguing blend of that classical look in a contemporary interpretation.
Such is the case with a new 2964-square foot build in the established Varsity View neighbourhood, designed and built by Lexis Homes. The company, owned by Cam and Rhonda Skoropat, has been building
custom homes in Saskatoon since 2009. They are in the design phase of another Modern Tudor—a style Cam believes is catching on—but this one is their first completed build. Cam, a mechanical
PHOTOS: SCOTT PROKOP
engineer who studied at the University of Saskatchewan, previously served as the chairperson of the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association.
“There were a couple of minor challenges during construction such as building the curved wall at the front exterior window, but it all went quite smoothly,” says Cam.
The homeowner was anxious to find a lot in an established neighbourhood. Having just moved to Saskatoon, she worked with Cam to fit her wish. “We love Varsity View for its trees, proximity to schools, Broadway and the downtown,” she says. “We prefer a traditional, timeless home so it worked well for the neighbourhood. We built an infill in Calgary and wanted something similar.”
From Plans to Perfection
“In Calgary, we built a Modern Farmhouse style,” says the homeowner. “We wanted to change it up a bit in Saskatoon, but still have something traditional with modern touches. With the property we selected, we knew we’d have lots of natural light and wanted to take advantage of that.”
With its steep roofs and arched overhang at the front door, one easily has the sense of a European influence in a design that blends the traditional with a modern statement. A design team and the homeowners worked out a floor plan to fit the family’s need for flow, function, beauty and comfort.
The homeowners relied on Lexis designer Julie Tenaschuk’s guidance to design cohesive spaces with the desired details to make it feel completely custom. The homeowners wanted to showcase their art collection so from the beginning of the process, those pieces were incorporated to ensure fit and scale were achieved.
“Separating the staircases was important and we wanted a door to the basement for noise control,” says the homeowner. “We also wanted the dining room more accessible from the kitchen. Our previous kitchen and dining areas were more separate from each other.
Another change we wanted was a large foyer to make a bit of separation from the rest of the house. We entertain a lot so the foyer is a more public than private area,” she adds. “We wanted it large enough to greet people and have space for them to put their things.”
Serene Setting
The open kitchen flows seamlessly into a comfortable lounge area, and on its other side, a butler’s pantry is the envy of anyone who enjoys entertaining. At the centre, is a beautiful showcase island topped with Caesarstone quartz.
“The kitchen is probably my favourite space,” says the homeowner. “We love to entertain and cook so I really enjoy the large island with continuous countertops and the separate butler’s pantry to hide any mess. Julie did renderings of all of our cabinetry and lighting throughout the house,” she adds, “so we could see the placement. That really helped.”
Mixed Materials
One of the hallmarks of the Tudor design is the use of four basic materials: brick, stone, stucco and wood. In this modern interpretation— both exterior and interior— these elements are blended to create comfortable, calming and functional living spaces.
To add interest and whimsy to the neutral walls, Lexis incorporated a mosaic of neutral brick as a fireplace surround in the lounge off the kitchen island, and green tile in the kitchen backsplash.
For an eye-popping pop of colour around the kitchen window over the sink, designers used a stunning greenish aquamarine
Keen cooks and avid entertainers, the homeowners say their thoughtfully designed kitchen with hidden butler pantry fits the bill. Cabinetry throughout the home by Majestic Cabinets adds function and warmth.
An open and airy kitchen space flows comfortably into a lounge and the dining area beyond, all bathed in plenty of natural light.
tile. This hue is suggested with additional drama in moss green for the master ensuite, to envelope the double vanity from floor to ceiling as well as full walls in the walk-in shower.
Timber Touches
The home’s interiors harken back to that classical Tudor, suggesting the heavy timber influence but in a sleeker, more refined application. The kitchen and lounge areas feature dark but slim Red Oak timber beams, a traditional feature.
Wood is thoughtfully incorporated throughout the home and ties spaces together as an ubiquitous aesthetic influence. A stunning live edge coffee table and floating shelving along with oak stair treads, faux wood seating benches in the foyer and on the fireplace
hearth all add additional texture and warmth in different ways.
From Blush to Bold
Wall colours range from calming neutrals to dramatic charcoal grey in the dining room with its expansive view to the front door.
“I like colour and pattern,” says the homeowner. “But I wanted walls that are neutral so I could put whatever I want on them. And with the dining room being so visible from the rest of the main floor, I wanted it to be different and make a statement.”
The eye is drawn upward by dark grasscloth wallpaper on the ceiling of the dining space. It is illuminated by a stunning crystal overhead fixture and ample natural light filtered through large banks of windows and sliding glass doors.
“These homeowners really let their personality shine through with unique features like the Ikat pattern wallpaper. They wanted wallpaper in the powder room and looked at a lot of samples. When this sample came up, they knew it was the one,” says Julie.
For something equally different, the custom mural in the son’s room was designed and completed by Alt Haus.
“I wanted to personalize our son’s room and Julie suggested a mural by Jo from Alt Haus Murals. My son and I worked with Jo to design an optical illusion in colours of my son’s choice.”
Doorway Differences
Cam proudly points out a couple of unusual touches that underscore the true value of a real custom build.
“We designed and
built a custom hidden basement door out of millwork. We didn’t want a standard door to take away from the look of the living room,” he explains. “And between the kitchen and pantry, and mudroom and pantry, we used custom doors that swing both
ways, like a restaurant kitchen might have. People can go in and out of the doors with their hands full. There’s also an option to keep them fixed in the open position, but it’s a unique feature that makes movement in and out so much more convenient.”
Rustic Retreat
The entire basement is markedly different, its massing, colours and textures are more masculine in style than the upper spaces. Still, the use of substantial wood massing suggests the Tudor style.
“The basement was intended to have a different feel from the rest of the house,” says the homeowner. “We wanted to do something different, things like the wood on the ceiling. Julie really helped us envision the basement bar and suggested we drop the ceiling in
While most of the home features neutral walls, there are a few eye-popping exceptions like the dining room and this master ensuite.
Unique design elements include a hidden millwork doorway to the basement.
An original mural adds a unique flair in the son’s bedroom.
THE CHECKLIST
• 4 bedrooms + gym
• 6 bathrooms
• Custom floor plan
• Appliances include Subzero, Miele and Fridigidaire in the butler’s pantry
• Red Oak beams in living room, kitchen, primary bedroom
• Hardwood flooring on main and second floor, luxury vinyl on second, plank in basement, tiles in wet areas
• Caesarstone quartz countertops
• Two curbless showers
• Tundra Brick Eldorado wet bar in basement, colour Ashland
• Eurotile backsplash tiles above kitchen sink: Fushion Series, colour Smeraldo.
• Julian Tile backsplash tiles next to kitchen fridge: Gallipoli Series, pattern Asteri
• Stoneworks brick veneer fireplace, outdoor BBQ tiles: colour Albescent
• Centura ensuite shower tiles: Artisan series, colour Moss Green
• Natural cedar pergola, composite back deck
• Floating shelf is a repurposed live edge table
that area.”
Tastefully framed hockey memorabilia and a mounted TV suggest sports fans are welcome. Wine enthusiasts, too, will be impressed by the enviable wine cellar and its built-in faux wood racks. There is a handy wine fridge in the wet bar area so
libations are always at just the right temperature, just within reach.
It’s the cherry on top for former Calgarians who love to entertain newfound Saskatoon friends in their new Modern Tudor.
Karin Melberg Schwier
BY: KARIN MELBERG SCHWIER
ENERGY SAVINGS MAKEOVER
Tools to Get You Started
If homeowners open a utility bill with trembling hands, it might be a signal to do some research into how energy efficient their home really is. Running a household is costly enough without unintentionally racking up any extra for heating, cooling, appliances, lighting and water heating.
By doing some digging and maybe getting a little guidance, that utility bill may shed a little of its fear factor each month.
A 2023 Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA) Homebuyer Preference Survey suggests four of the top ten desired features are energy-related.
Energy-efficient appliances, high-efficiency windows, heat recovery and energy recovery air exchange systems and overall home energy efficiency are among the most coveted priorities for people on the hunt for a home. Energy, and saving it, is top of mind for a lot of homeowners.
Amber Weckworth is the City of Saskatoon’s Manager of Climate, Strategy and Data (CSD) Section. She says there is an array of interventions to make homes more efficient, from simple DIY projects to large scale changes. The City of Saskatoon offers easyto-use and handy tools to help a homeowner get
a better picture of how much energy their home is using— and losing—over time, over every season.
Free virtual resources are a great place to start for homeowners to better understand the state of their home’s energy consumption, financing options on energy-friendly renovations, appliance and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades and other tips on reducing energy bills.
Knowledge is Power
Virtual resources include the Home Energy Map, which uses artificial intelligence to analyze data provided by the homeowner online to produce a digital score. It then provides the homeowner with a customized ‘retrofit roadmap’ to see what steps will reduce energy consumption. There is also the Solar Potential Map tool for anyone interested in taking advantage of Saskatoon’s sunny skies.
The Home Energy Map is an online tool that provides a “virtual audit” estimate of a home’s annual energy consumption under standard conditions. By creating an online account and responding to a questionnaire, homeowners can get a reasonable estimate of energy consumption.
Homeowners don’t want to pay more than they have to for energy consumption, but they need to know what changes and adjustments can make a difference. They have questions. What kind of financing, rebates and incentives are available for home energy renovations? When replacing a furnace or installing air conditioning, is a heat pump better for
There are a number of ways to improve a home’s energy efficiency, starting with simple DIY jobs that can make a big difference over time.
cooling and heating? How does an energy audit help? What kind of renovations or upgrades would be most effective? What makes a home a good candidate for solar power? How does a home compare to others on the block and why?
The Energy Map breaks out the costs and savings for each retrofit and prioritizes them for the homeowner. Residents may want to dive in and replace older windows right away, but once they review their customized roadmap, they may find less expensive retrofits can result in just as much energy savings. Those might make more sense to do first.
Digging Deeper
For those wanting to go further, getting a Home Energy Audit (or Energy Efficiency Home Evaluation)
in person by a certified EnerGuide advisor from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), provides an in-home assessment of the entire home, basement to attic, to assess insulation, heating and cooling systems and detect any air leaks or drafts. A Renovation Upgrade Report is provided to the homeowner with specific recommendations and an EnerGuide rating. This is not a City program; fees vary depending on the size of the home.
“Residents will see utility bill savings by completing any of the retrofits recommended through our Energy Map or from their Energy Audit,” says Amber.
“According to the Energy Map, a 1980s house could save over $1,700 annually if all the recommended upgrades are done.”
The Energy Map can help determine what interventions a homeowner can prioritize to have the most impact.
More Inexpensive Investments
“There are some easy and inexpensive ways to save energy like changing to LED lightbulbs, air-drying clothes, washing clothes in cold water, installing water-saving fixtures like low-flow toilets and showerheads and aerators on faucets,” explains Amber. “Programmable or smart thermostats too are all first steps to save money, energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most likely cost less than $500.”
“Air sealing and attic insulation is recommended for almost every house,” she adds, “and can save upwards of $200 a year with an investment of less than $2,000.”
She notes that the SaskPower Energy Assistance Program provides income-qualified renters or
homeowners with a home walk-through, free items to help save energy and advice on how to change everyday behaviours to save energy. All this is available at no cost.
The City also offers information to homeowners who want to learn more about energy efficiency renovations, and what rebates might be available for home projects, and financial incentives like the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP).
More Aggressive Interventions
Swapping out older windows and doors can be more pricey, upwards of $30,000, but the investment does make a home much more comfortable, and saves a lot of energy and money. Amber estimates savings can run up to $500 a year.
“Upgrading furnaces,
air conditioners and hot water tanks are also larger investments,” she adds. “Upgrading an air conditioner to a heat pump makes the most sense when the equipment is at the end of its life. Timing is important. These appliances are high-cost items, but when they need to be replaced anyway, the extra cost of high-efficiency versions will see energy savings returns right away.”
Residents interested in doing bigger retrofits can apply for a loan through either the Canada Greener Home Loan program or the City of Saskatoon’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), available at saskatoon.ca/HelpHome . Homeowners can check each program’s website for capacity, eligibility and other details.
Here Comes the Sun
The City also offers a Solar Potential Map that guides homeowners in
their understanding of the cost benefits of investing in solar panels.
“Solar PV (photovoltaic) technology is a great investment,” says Amber, “and will usually pay itself back over the life of the panels.” But, she cautions, location is everything and the Solar Potential Map tool will help a homeowner determine if their home is a good candidate for capturing solar power.
By plugging in a home address and amount of the homeowner’s current electric bill, the Solar Potential Map will determine hours of usable sunlight per year, the available area of roof given nearby trees, an estimate of upfront costs and calculates the number of years until payback. It also directs homeowners to details about the Canada Greener Homes Initiative’s interest free loans.
Making a Difference
People seem to be tapping into the knowledge they can acquire. As of June 30, 2024, the City’s online Home Energy Map received 18,664 unique views and 259,410 total views. Over 835 homeowners have created an account, authenticated with tax roll number, and 5,540 have landed on the page to create one. They can use the ‘claim my home’ feature to plug in their own renovation data for a detailed renovation roadmap. Upgrades can be logged to ensure an ongoing accurate score.
Determined to be as energy efficient as possible, Amber took advantage of City tools to analyze her own home and personal use.
“The Home Energy Map, the Solar Map, and the NRCan Energy Audit were all very helpful resources as I prioritized upgrades for my own house,” she says. “They all helped me
understand that air sealing and windows would save me the most energy. The Solar Potential Map showed me a lot of my roof was actually shaded by a large tree, so a smaller array made the most sense for me.”
The take-away is that each home and every homeowner is different, but there are plenty of small DIY and more substantial retrofits than can make a big difference in energy consumption. By taking advantage of the City’s free tools and resources, that monthly utility bill might no longer be the bone-chilling reveal it once was.
Information and details about City tools and resources, including the downloadable Home Energy Renovation Resources for Saskatoon Homeowners booklet: saskatoon.ca/RenoResources.
Karin Melberg Schwier
There are several easy-to-use City tools to help homeowners get a better picture of their home’s energy use and potential savings.
SASKATOON AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION HOMEtown Reflections
It was the most desperate of times.
From 1929–1939, Saskatchewan was rocked by the twin hammer blows of drought and depression. Incomes plummeted and unemployment skyrocketed.
For young and old alike, it must have felt like the end of the world.
The 1920s had been very good to us. But the harvest was dismal in 1929, and the number of families on relief in Saskatoon doubled. The
actual numbers were low, but the effects of the US stock market crash that fall had yet to hit us. In Saskatoon, we put our unemployed to work, building parks and doing other useful things.
The Mayor, John W. Hair,
BY: JEFF O’BRIEN
declared our unemployment problem solved. Boy, was he wrong.
As the world sank deeper into the Depression, Saskatchewan’s wheat exports dried up and the economy collapsed.
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH-5025
By 1933, our average per capita income had dropped by three-quarters. Farm incomes fell a whopping 95 per cent. In Saskatoon that year, 1,600 families were on unemployment relief.
Darkness at Noon
Then there was the drought. From Texas to Lloydminster, the rain did not fall. The fertile farmlands turned to dust, and with that came the insects, which descended on the land like a Biblical plague. Grasshoppers were the worst, but they were nearly matched by the cutworms, a beast so menacing that as a child I thought they got their name from how you killed them, so fierce was my Depression-raised mother’s reaction when she found one in the garden.
Dust storms blackened the skies, sometimes for days on end, getting dust into everything and leaving huge drifts against fences and buildings. Folks hereabouts still talk about the baseball player who ran into a dust storm rounding second one day, got lost, and was never seen again.
Qualifying for Relief
Unlike today, in the 1930s, it was the municipalities who were responsible for taking care of the unemployed. Mindful of their limited financial resources, and with an eye on the mill rate, municipalities dispensed relief with a miserly hand. To qualify, you had to have lived there for at least six months, be married for a year and be male (about which more in a minute).
The intent was to limit relief to bona fide Saskatoon families. Those coming here from hard-hit rural areas
Photos: (top) Local History Room - Saskatoon
The Saskatoon Arena, ca. 1940. Built during the Depression in 1937, it was the first rink in town to have artificial ice.
Protesters are subdued in an unidentified riot in Saskatoon, 1930s.
endured immense privation to qualify as residents so they could get on relief. But it was even worse for recent immigrants, who could be deported if they became a charge on the public purse and who in consequence went to enormous lengths to stay off relief.
Civic officials were relentless in their pursuit of those deemed to be welfare cheats. The residency requirement was extended to a year. Investigators were reportedly paid bounties for each family they got kicked off relief. One fellow was reported for accepting a pair of socks and trousers in return for painting a fence. Another, for working off a doctor’s bill. And of course, getting caught buying booze was an absolute no-no.
Not that there wasn’t cheating. People will go to
nearly any lengths to put a roof over their heads and food in their mouths. The city’s relief officer liked to tell about the five Ukrainian
men who showed up at the Relief Office, each with the same English-speaking woman, claiming she was his wife!
The Broadway Bridge
The scope of the disaster quickly overwhelmed the municipalities, forcing the provincial and federal
A squatter's shack on the riverbank, provided a semblance of shelter, 1930s.
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH-2048
governments to provide additional financial support. One early scheme was to put the unemployed to work on huge public works projects. In Saskatoon, the most notable was the Broadway Bridge.
Construction began in December of 1931. It lasted twelve months: 24-hours a day, seven days a week including Sundays and holidays through one of the fiercest winters on record. Wherever possible, the
work was done by hand so as to employ the greatest number of men. By the time it opened on November 11, 1932, nearly 2,000 men had worked on it.
The iconic image of the Great Depression is
usually the breadline. But in Saskatoon, it should be the Broadway Bridge, and the endless lines of men trundling huge wheelbarrows full of concrete out along the catwalks above the frozen river, tipping them up to empty them down the chutes, then going back for the next one.
Saskatoon’s First Riot
For single unemployed men, the outlook was bleak. The municipalities flat out refused to support them, and by 1932, there were 100,000 destitute, homeless men riding the rails and living in hobo camps across the West. The remedy arrived at was to put them into federallyfunded work camps— forcibly, if necessary. There
RCMP prepare to charge rioters, Nov 7, 1932.
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - PH-96-26
were several of these in Saskatchewan including one at the Saskatoon Exhibition. The camps were hotbeds of discontent.The authorities tended to blame Communist agitators for much of it (if you believe the newspapers,
there was a Bolshevik under every bed in those days). The camp at the Exhibition was reputedly one of the worst.
Described by authorities as “a concentration camp [operating] under military discipline,” (and by the
unemployed as a “slave camp”) it sparked the first violent confrontation in Saskatoon between the unemployed and authorities, even before it opened, on November 7, 1932.
That day, a crowd of
unemployed men gathered near the Relief Office, downtown on 19th Street, to protest plans to move them into the new camp at the Exhibition. The police soon arrived, reinforced by RCMP on horseback and a
Broadway Bridge construction, 1932.
Photo: City of Saskatoon Archives - 1104-003-036
group of Special Constables (ironically, mostly drawn from the ranks of the unemployed.) The crowd was ordered to disperse. Police drew their truncheons and began to advance. Someone threw a rock. The police waded in, swinging clubs and riding crops. The ensuing battle raged across what is now River Landing, west up to the 19th Street underpass and then to Market Square, where Fire Hall No. 1 is today. By the end of it, There were more than a dozen injuries and half a dozen arrests.
Worse was to come. The following spring, RCMP and police were called to the camp to quell a demonstration there. In the melee that followed,
the RCMP commander, Inspector L.J. Sampson, fell from his horse, struck his head and died.
A Woman’s Place
Like single men, women were also not eligible for assistance. This is entirely due to contemporary attitudes about a woman’s place in society. Relief was only granted to “heads of households”—the family breadwinners, who were deemed to be exclusively male. Women applying for relief were told to go home and come back with their husbands. Single women were to be taken care of by a male relative. Those who had jobs were reviled as “home wreckers” for taking work
that rightfully belonged to a male breadwinner.
But it was a group of women and children who, two days after the rioting at the Relief Office in 1932, occupied City Council Chambers to protest the draconian terms of the hated Civic Relief Agreement. The occupation lasted all night. City Council finally agreed to meet with the protesters, and in the end, the worst elements of the relief agreement were struck out. They tried this again in 1935. This time, the mayor, Robert Pinder, blamed the protest on Communist agitators and ordered police to physically remove them, kicking and screaming, from City Hall.
Castles by the River
One bright spot during the Great Depression was construction of our own “castle by the river,” the Bessborough Hotel. Built by the Canadian National Railway (and not a relief work project, as it is sometimes described), construction began early in 1930. By 1932, it was mostly complete. But Saskatoon needed a luxury hotel in 1932 like it needed a hole in the head, and the CN was having financial issues of its own. So the Bess didn’t officially open until 1935. Another Depression-era addition to the Saskatoon skyline was the Saskatoon Arena, downtown on 19th Street. Built in 1937, it was described by an envious Edmonton newspaper
A vagrant hops a train, 1931.
Photo: Local History Room - Saskatoon Public Library - LH-5024
as “the finest ice palace in Western Canada.” It was the first rink in Saskatoon with an artificial ice plant. Prior to this, the early arrival of spring meant an abrupt end to the hockey season. Henceforward, we could play hockey whenever we wanted.
Life Goes On
As it nearly always does, life went on. People mostly made their own fun. There were dances and carnivals, concerts and movie theatres (including the Roxy, the first to install air conditioning), games and distractions. The Avenue H Swimming Pool cost a nickel if you had it and was free if you didn’t. There were the city-run playgrounds and skating rinks, and people flocked to the Exhibition every summer, taking the streetcar or riding the special trains that ran from the downtown railway station.
Nor were we all living crammed into shanties out on Avenue W. If you were sufficiently well off, the Great Depression was hardly depressing at all. On the same day police were battling unemployed rioters in 1932, the newspaper ran ads for “Kayser’s Famous 3-Star Italian-silk Bloomers,” only $2.95 a pair (three days’ work for a labourer, working 80 hours a week on minimum wage). Or a “Victor Bi-Acoustic Radio” for only $295, which was about four years’ worth of grain cheques for a farmer in the hardest-hit districts. In 1935, you could rent a nice apartment in City Park with living room, kitchen and bedroom, plus a “breakfast nook”, including electric stove and refrigerator,
for $37.50 a month, which is what a worker on the Broadway Bridge with six or more children made for three weeks’ work.
Premier Promises
In 1931, the Premier of Saskatchewan promised that no matter what, no one here would be allowed to starve to death. And mostly, no one
did. But that’s the only good thing you can say about the way governments here dealt with the catastrophe. What little assistance people got was given grudgingly and at a huge cost to their dignity and self-worth.
But in the end, we pulled together and we pulled through, because that’s what we do here. The lessons of
the Great Depression are many, but this is the most important one. Either we all pull together, or we will most assuredly pull apart, and this is just as true today as it was in 1932.
Jeff O’Brien
Bessborough Hotel under construction, 1931.
Montrose Apartments on 26th Street East, 1930s.
AmAzing Things Are hAppening AT CrossmounT
JOIN OUR WAITLIST!
We are pleased to announce the first neighbourhood of independent homes at Crossmount is SOLD OUT and no more house sites are available.
However, please email info@crossmount.ca if you are interested in joining our waitlist for previously owned homes or for updates about a future neighbourhood.
VISIT CROSSMOUNT
Crossmount has an agri-tourism area available to residents and public alike. Here you will find the Pine & Thistle Kitchen + Bar where you can enjoy delicious meals and snacks in a relaxing atmosphere. You can visit the Little Market at Crossmount with its unique cheese production area.
The Market carries unique prairie-made items and products and you can buy the cheese made on site. The Crossmount Cider Company is a working cidery where our cider is handcrafted on site. Come to the Tasting Room or relax on one of the outdoor decks while trying a flight of cider.
Crossmount is located 5 km south of Saskatoon on Lorne Avenue (Highway 219). We are a 55+ aging-in-place community settled into 480 acres of natural prairies. Residents in our first neighbourhood of independent homes can enjoy two community gardens, a pet-friendly environment with spaces to walk dogs, numerous activities and clubs, an on-site doctor and medical clinic, and lots of fresh air and sunshine. Homes are built for safe aging-in-place and all homes come with security systems so you can travel with peace of mind. At Crossmount you can see the stars at night, hear birdsong throughout the day, and enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
Come visit us today or join our waitlist if you are interested in living at Crossmount.
The onsite Lifebridge at Crossmount medical clinic is open to the public during regular weekly hours and the doctor is accepting new patients from the surrounding rural areas.
Do not forget that there are winter activities at Crossmount as well. Once the snow falls and colder temperatures arrive, good old fashioned pond skating is available to the public on our natural pond and, thanks to our resident volunteers, groomed cross country ski trails can also be accessed.
Make DIY home energy renovations easier using Saskatoon.ca/RenoResources
Answer questions like: What kind of financing, rebates and incentives are available for home energy renovations? Is my home a good candidate for solar PV? What kind of renovations would save me money on utility bills?
*Dachshund not included
MAUREEN’S KITCHEN
BY: MAUREEN HADDOCK
A Treat to Intrigue You
This unusual treat will intrigue you at first bite. It is neither a dessert nor a main course—it is what it is—a celebration of fall. Let your tastebuds define it.
My favourite way to eat this treat is after a light salad or
brothy soup at noon. A small piece is both satisfying and filling. I also enjoy a piece for breakfast on a fall morning. I often top it with a slice of cheese.
Once you have made this simple pastry, you will likely
use it in other ways. You may bake it into round crackers or line tart pans to make quiche bites. I plan to top a beef pot pie with this pastry. I love to top cheddar pastry circles with homemade cranberry sauce for an appetizer.
Irresistible!
To simplify the pastrymaking process, I grate and measure the butter and cheddar cheese at least a day before. Grating butter makes it easier to blend with the dry ingredients. I also prefer
Cheddar Cheese Pastry with Green Apple Filling
Prepare Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold butter, grated
1 cup aged cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup milk
In the food processor, combine flour and salt. Add butter. Pulse until the mixture forms crumbs. Add cheese. With the machine running, drizzle in the milk. Process the mixture only until the dough comes together. In our drier climate, I often add a tablespoon more milk.
Form the pastry into a ball, flatten it into a disk and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more.
Tart Apple Filling:
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon grated lemon rind
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
4 large tart apples, like Granny Smith, peeled and thickly sliced
In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add apples, toss, and set aside.
Roll Pastry:
The original recipe suggested rolling the pastry between two sheets of waxed paper. If the dough seems sticky, give this a try. I rarely need to do this. Roll the dough into a 13” circle. Use a ruler or make the circle larger than a 12” pizza pan. Transfer the
pastry circle onto a large baking sheet, pizza pan or oven-safe stoneware platter. I have baked this pie many ways, and it always works.
Allow the pastry to drape over the edge of the pan while arranging the filling. Spoon the apple mixture into the center of the pastry. Fold the pastry edges over the apples, leaving the center exposed.
Bake the pie on the lower rack of the oven at 425°F for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325°F and bake another 30 minutes until apples are tender. If you want, sprinkle the top with an additional 2 tablespoons of grated cheddar. Cool before slicing.
This cheddar pastry is also delicious when baked with a sweet filling.
If you are serving this apple delight to guests, offer both a sweet and a tart apple galette. Ask guests which flavour they prefer. Leftovers, should there be any, freeze perfectly. We love finding a slice of this treat in the depths of the freezer. It feels like winning the lottery.
Sweet Apple Filling:
¾ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons of flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
4 large, sweet apples of your choice (I use Gala)
Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add apples, toss, and set aside. Proceed as above.
